New Delhi: India’s ethanol programme has crossed a new supply milestone 800-crore-litre mark during ESY 2025-26, with grain-based feedstocks strengthening their share of monthly supplies in July, according to the latest data compiled by the All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA).
A total of 93 crore litres of ethanol was supplied during July, taking cumulative supplies beyond the 800-crore-litre milestone. Grain-based feedstocks accounted for 71 crore litres, or around 76% of July supplies, compared with approximately 73% in June, when grain-based ethanol contributed 75 crore litres out of 103 crore litres supplied during the month.
The month-on-month movement is significant because grain-based supplies remained relatively stable even as total monthly ethanol supplies moderated, resulting in a higher share for grain-based feedstocks in July.
Maize and surplus FCI grains each contributed 30 crore litres of ethanol in July, together accounting for nearly 85% of grain-based supplies during the month. Damaged food grains contributed a further 11 crore litres.
The near-equal contribution from maize and surplus FCI grains underlines the increasing role of multiple grain streams in supporting ethanol supplies. It also demonstrates the flexibility of the domestic ethanol supply chain in drawing on different agricultural resources.
Maize remained a major contributor to the overall ethanol programme, while the significant contribution from surplus FCI grains highlights the role of government-designated surplus food grains in supporting domestic biofuel production.
Sugarcane-based feedstocks contributed 22 crore litres during July, compared with 28 crore litres in June.The monthly ethanol supplies consequently declined from approximately 27% in June to 24% in July.
Within the July sugarcane-based supplies, B-Heavy Molasses contributed 17 crore litres, while Sugarcane Juice contributed 4 crore litres and C-Heavy Molasses contributed 1 crore litre.
The movement in the monthly data demonstrates that the relative contribution of grain and sugarcane-based feedstocks can vary from month to month, reinforcing the importance of maintaining multiple production pathways within India’s ethanol programme.
The latest supply numbers come at an important stage in India’s ethanol journey. Having established ethanol blending at scale, the industry is now looking towards the next phase of growth, where production capacity, feedstock availability and end-use demand will need to evolve together.
The July data shows that the industry continues to mobilise substantial volumes of ethanol from domestic feedstocks. According to AIDA, the focus now needs to increasingly shift towards creating additional avenues for utilisation as the country’s ethanol production ecosystem expands.
Ms. Bharati Balaji, Deputy Director General, All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA), said, “Crossing the 800-crore-litre mark is an important milestone for India’s ethanol programme and reflects the scale that the domestic industry has achieved. What is equally significant is the movement in the monthly supply mix. Grain-based ethanol increased its share from around 73% in June to 76% in July, with maize and surplus FCI grains each contributing 30 crore litres. The supply side has demonstrated its ability to respond through multiple feedstocks and a growing production base. The next step is to create sufficient demand for this capacity. As India looks at the future of its clean mobility transition, higher ethanol blends, Flex-Fuel Vehicles and wider applications of ethanol can help unlock the full potential of the ecosystem that has been built over the past decade.”
“The industry has created a much stronger production base, and the priority now should be to ensure that this capacity is utilised efficiently. A clear and predictable framework for expanding ethanol applications will be critical to sustaining investments, supporting the agricultural value chain and advancing India’s transition towards cleaner domestic fuels.”
