Sri Lanka spends record amount on maize imports after agrochemical ban

Sri Lanka has spent a record 9.6 billion rupees for maize imports this year, government data showed, amid a looming shortage of the grains for animal feed industry after the government’s agrochemicals ban took the toll.

The country spent 573.4 million rupees to import maize seeds and 9 billion rupees for other maize related products including maize ears, the data showed.

Maize crop needs pesticides to thrive as the grain plant is susceptible for pests and diseases, analysts say.

Agrochemical ban has led to poultry feed expensive because of the price hike in the maize. And that resulted in more imports of maize this year, and industry official told Economy Next.

Before 2022, the island nation has spent highest amount of 7.5 billion rupees for the maize imports in 2017, Sri Lanka Customs data showed.

Sri Lanka is planning to increase the production of maize as it’s a direct contributor to animal feed and is
being imported to boost the poultry production, after the fertilizer crisis took a toll on the island’s cost
of living and inflation.

Government officials have cited the maize shortage has resulted the price hike of chicken, fresh milk, and eggs in the local market.