Maize (Corn), is of American origin, and after wheat and rice, it is the most important cereal grain in the world. It serves as basic raw material for the production of starch, oil and protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners and more recently fuel.

Special crops grown primarily for food include sweet corn and popcorn, although dent, starchy or floury and flint maize are also widely used as food. Flint maize is also used as feed. Immature ordinary corn on the cob either boiled or roasted is widely consumed.

Major producing countries are United States, China, EU-25, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and India. These countries accounts for around 80 % of total world corn production.