Futures contracts of maize ended over 1% higher on the NCDEX due to shortage of supplies in spot markets, and firm demand from the poultry and feed industry. Supplies of maize from rabi crop are almost over and that from kharif are nearly two months away, so sentiment in the market is bullish. Kharif crop is also anticipated to be smaller this year, as so far the acreage is down 6.1% on year at 7.23 mln ha.