India’s Clean Energy Push Gets a Boost as Maize Leads Ethanol Production

Ethanol emerged as largest ethanol feedstock for the first time in ethanol program of the country. During the first half Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26 the supplies of ethanol crossed 515 crore litres and showing momentum in India’s clean fuel transition.

Maize Becomes India’s Largest Ethanol Feedstock

According to industry estimates which is compiled by the All India Distillers Association (AIDA), maize has overtaken all other feedstocks to become the single largest contributor to the ethanol production.

Among grain-based ethanol sources Maize has contributed approximately 182 crore litres which is the highest among all feedstocks.

Other major contributors includes,

• Surplus rice/surplus food grains: around 125 crore litres
• Damaged food grains: approximately 26 crore litres

This marks a significant structural change in the India’s ethanol production strategy.

Ethanol Supplies Cross 515 Crore Litres

India’s total cumulative ethanol supply during the first six months of Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26 reached approximately around 515 crore litre.

It is against contracted supply volumes of the 1,059 crore litres.

This means that nearly 49% of annual contracted supply has already been delivered in the first half of the supply year.

Monthly supply momentum also remained strong in the couple months.

• December 2025: around 102 crore litres
• March 2026: nearly 95 crore litres
• April 2026: approximately 92 crore litres

This indicates sustained production capacity and strong supply chain performance for the ethanol production.

Why Maize Is Becoming the Preferred Ethanol Feedstock

The rise of maize is not just accidental. Several Industry experts see the structural advantages.

Unlike sugarcane linked supply cycles the maize offers more predictable year round availability.

This also reduces the seasonal supply disruptions.

Maize generally requires the less water compared with sugarcane and making it more sustainable in water-stressed regions.

As India pushes towards the higher ethanol blending targets beyond E20 the scalable feedstock becomes critical.

Maize is seen as more compatible with the long-term expansion.

Sugarcane Still Remains a Major Player

Although the maize has taken the top spot, sugarcane remains highly important.

Sugarcane-based distilleries supplied the around 182 crore litres.

This represented nearly the 62% of contracted sugarcane linked volumes.

Breakup of Sugarcane Based Volumes

• Sugarcane juice (SCJ): 130 crore litres
• B-heavy molasses (BHM): 45 crore litres
• C-heavy molasses (CHM): 7 crore litres

Sugarcane juice remains the strong contributor despite periodic fluctuations in the sugar production.