NEW DELHI, Aug 12: India’s ethanol supply has crossed the 800 crore litre mark during the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26, with grain based feedstocks increasing their contribution to the monthly supply mix, according to data compiled by the All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA).
The country received 93 crore litres of ethanol in July, taking cumulative supplies beyond the 800 crore litre milestone. Grain-based sources accounted for 71 crore litres, representing nearly 76% of the month’s total.
This was higher than the roughly 73% share recorded in June, when 75 crore litres of the 103 crore litres supplied came from grain-based feedstocks. The July figures indicate that grain-derived production remained comparatively steady despite a decline in overall monthly supplies.
Maize and surplus Food Corporation of India (FCI) grains were the largest contributors among grain-based sources, supplying 30 crore litres each in July. Together, they accounted for nearly 85% of ethanol produced from grain feedstocks during the month.
Damaged food grains added another 11 crore litres to the July supply, further strengthening the contribution of non-sugarcane sources to the country’s ethanol programme.
Meanwhile, sugarcane-based feedstocks supplied 22 crore litres in July, down from 28 crore litres in June. Their share consequently declined to around 24% from approximately 27% in the previous month.
B-Heavy Molasses remained the largest sugarcane based contributor, accounting for 17 crore litres during July. Sugarcane Juice supplied 4 crore litres, while C-Heavy Molasses contributed 1 crore litre.
AIDA Deputy Director General Bharati Balaji described the crossing of the 800-crore-litre threshold as an important milestone for India’s ethanol programme. She said the changing supply composition also demonstrated the industry’s ability to utilise multiple feedstocks and respond to market requirements.
Balaji emphasised that expanding demand would now be important to ensure effective utilisation of the production capacity developed by the domestic industry.
She pointed to higher ethanol blending, Flex Fuel Vehicles and broader applications of ethanol as potential avenues for strengthening demand and supporting India’s clean mobility objectives.
According to AIDA, establishing a predictable framework for expanding ethanol applications will also be important for sustaining investment, strengthening the agricultural value chain and supporting the country’s transition towards cleaner domestic fuels.