Sugarcane-based feedstocks accounted for 33 per cent of India’s total ethanol supplies in the ongoing Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025–26, while grain-based sources contributed the remaining 67 per cent, according to the latest data released by the All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA).
As of June 2026, cumulative ethanol supplies reached 717 crore litres against contracted volumes of 1,048 crore litres, representing an overall supply achievement of 68 per cent. The current ethanol supply year runs from November 2025 to October 2026.
Sugarcane-based feedstocks contributed 238 crore litres of ethanol, accounting for 33 per cent of the total volume supplied so far. Grain-based distilleries supplied 480 crore litres, representing around 67 per cent of total supplies.
Within the sugarcane-based segment, sugarcane juice contributed 144 crore litres of ethanol, equivalent to around 20 per cent of the total ethanol supplied, while B-heavy molasses accounted for another 82 crore litres.
The data indicate that sugar-based distilleries have performed better in meeting their contracted supply obligations compared with grain-based units.
Of the 1,048 crore litres contracted by oil marketing companies (OMCs) for ESY 2025–26, sugar-based distilleries received contracts for 289 crore litres, accounting for 28 per cent of the total contracted volume. Grain-based distilleries were allocated contracts for 759 crore litres, or 72 per cent.
Sugar-based distilleries have already fulfilled more than 82 per cent of their contractual obligations, compared with around 63 per cent achieved by grain-based units.
Despite the smaller share of sugarcane-based ethanol, grains remain the dominant source of ethanol production. Maize is the single largest feedstock, contributing 258 crore litres, or about 36 per cent of total ethanol supplies. Surplus Food Corporation of India (FCI) rice contributed 177 crore litres, equivalent to nearly 25 per cent, while damaged food grains accounted for 45 crore litres.
AIDA said the growing contribution from multiple feedstocks had strengthened supply resilience, reduced dependence on any single agricultural crop and supported uninterrupted ethanol availability throughout the year.
As India moves beyond the E20 ethanol-blending milestone, Singh said policy support for higher ethanol blends, Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), ethanol-diesel blending and next-generation biofuels would be essential to fully utilise the significant production capacity created by the industry.
The latest supply pattern shows that while grain-based ethanol has emerged as the dominant source, sugarcane-based feedstocks continue to play a significant role in India’s ethanol programme, contributing one-third of total supplies and recording a higher rate of fulfilment of contracted volumes.