Indonesia's corn imports are expected to rise by at least 22 percent in 2014 and surpass the previous record of 3.6 million tonnes, an industry association said, as dry weather from a possible El Nino weather pattern hurts domestic output. Forecasts are for El Nino, which is a weather phenomenon that usually brings dry conditions to Southeast Asia, to develop probably around mid-year.
"Corn import this year is estimated at record high, surpassing 3.6 million tonnes," Franciscus Xaverius Sudirman, chairman of the Indonesian Feedmills Association, told reporters on Tuesday, adding that last year's shipments were 2.95 million tonnes. Mainly used as animal feed, Indonesia expects domestic corn output to climb 12 percent to 20.82 million tonnes this year.
