Corn takes the lead in India’s ethanol story as grain-based production surges
India’s ethanol programme has shifted towards grains, with grain-based ethanol contributing 67% of supplies to OMCs by June 2026. Corn became the largest feedstock, producing 258 crore litres, as policy changes reduced reliance on sugarcane following weak monsoon-driven supply concerns.
New Delhi: India’s ethanol blending programme is undergoing a major shift, with corn and other grains replacing sugarcane as the dominant feedstock for ethanol production. Data up to June 2026 shows that grain-based ethanol now accounts for two-thirds of total supplies to oil marketing companies (OMCs), reflecting a significant change in the country’s biofuel strategy.
According to the All India Distillers Association (AIDA), OMCs have received 717 crore litres of ethanol against contracted supplies of 1,048 crore litres for the current ethanol supply year, achieving around 68 per cent of the target by the end of June, Jagran reported.
Of the total ethanol supplied so far, 480 crore litres, or about 67 per cent, has come from grain-based feedstocks, while sugarcane-based sources have contributed 238 crore litres, accounting for the remaining 33 per cent.
Corn has emerged as the single largest source of ethanol, producing 258 crore litres during the period. Other major feedstocks include 177 crore litres from surplus Food Corporation of India (FCI) grain stocks, 144 crore litres from sugarcane juice, 82 crore litres from B-heavy molasses and 45 crore litres from damaged foodgrains.
Corn alone has contributed more ethanol than the combined output from sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses, accounting for nearly 35 per cent of the country’s total ethanol production.
The shift towards grain-based ethanol gained momentum in 2023 after weak monsoon conditions affected sugarcane production. To ensure adequate domestic sugar availability, the government temporarily restricted ethanol production from sugarcane juice and encouraged the use of corn and broken rice for ethanol manufacturing.
The policy change prompted many distilleries to diversify or convert their operations from sugarcane-based production to grain-based ethanol, accelerating the transition towards a more diversified feedstock mix for India’s ethanol blending programme.
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Source : ChiniMandi
