Better maize production may make it possible for ethanol manufacturers to get more stock

30-May-2025 07:45 PM

New Delhi. In its third advance estimate, the Union Agriculture Ministry has projected that the total domestic production of maize may reach a new record level of 422.80 lakh tonnes during the 2024-25 marketing season.

This would be 46.20 lakh tonnes more than the 376.60 lakh tonnes produced in the 2023-24 season. Similarly, the production of nutritious grains (Shri Anna) is also expected to rise by 4.40 lakh tonnes from 175.70 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 to 180.10 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.

The category of nutritious grains includes jowar, bajra, ragi, and barley. The Agriculture Ministry’s figures take into account the production from Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid seasons.

According to the data, the record maize production of 422.80 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 is divided into 248.40 lakh tonnes from the Kharif season, 136.00 lakh tonnes from Rabi, and 38.20 lakh tonnes from the Zaid season.

This increase is expected to improve supply and availability in the domestic market, making more maize available to grain-based distilleries for ethanol production.

The government is already supplying rice to these distilleries at a subsidized rate of ₹2250 per quintal. If the government’s estimates prove accurate, ethanol manufacturers will benefit from an increased supply of maize, supporting higher ethanol output and benefiting all stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the Central Government has raised the minimum support price of maize by ₹175 from ₹2225 per quintal for the 2024-25 season to ₹2400 per quintal for the 2025-26 season.

This new price will be applicable for the upcoming Kharif maize crop, sowing for which is about to begin. The crop will start arriving in the markets from October.