India’s cumulative ethanol receipts by oil marketing companies (OMCs) reached 987 crore litres by the end of September in Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26, with grain-based feedstocks accounting for 71.4% of the total, reported The Economic Times, citing the All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA).
The receipts amounted to 82.5% of the 1,197 crore litres allocated under contracts for the November-October supply year, according to AIDA.
Grain-based feedstocks contributed 705 crore litres against an allocation of 908 crore litres, representing a fulfilment rate of 77.6%. Maize was the largest contributor, supplying 413 crore litres, or more than 41% of total ethanol receipts, against an allocation of 614 crore litres.
Surplus rice procured by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) accounted for 222 crore litres against an allocation of 233 crore litres. Damaged food grains supplied 70 crore litres, exceeding the allocated quantity of 60 crore litres.
Sugar-based feedstocks supplied 282 crore litres against an allocation of 289 crore litres, achieving a fulfilment rate of 97.6%.
Within this category, sugarcane juice contributed 151 crore litres against an allocation of 166 crore litres. B-heavy molasses supplied 115 crore litres, exceeding its allocation of 111 crore litres, while C-heavy molasses accounted for 16 crore litres against an allocation of 12 crore litres.
AIDA Deputy General Bharati Balaji said developing a diversified ethanol supply base using multiple feedstocks would be important for strengthening India’s long-term energy security.
She also highlighted the need for stable policies and broader avenues for ethanol utilisation, including flex-fuel vehicles, sustainable aviation fuel and compressed biogas, to encourage continued investment and strengthen agricultural value chains.
