According to the Department, Sri Lanka's annual maize requirement is about 200,000 mt from which import about 125,000 mt at a cost of rupees 1169 million rupees, mainly for utilizing in the provender industry. Local consumption is estimated at 33,000 tons and the requirements for Thriposha and other industries about 8,000 tons and 5,000 tons respectively.

In addition to that Sri Lanka import maize products such as corn flakes, corn oil, corn starch and corn flour for different uses. Virtually maize is utilized for production of over 500 different products and bi-products worldwide.(ST/KH)