Maize's contribution to ethanol production approaches 50 percent

20-Feb-2026 05:45 PM

New Delhi. In India, ethanol was initially produced from sugarcane components, and then from rice and damaged grains. However, in the last few years, the use of maize in ethanol production has increased so rapidly that currently, approximately 50 percent of the country's ethanol production is from maize.

During the 2024-25 marketing season (November-October), maize-derived ethanol accounted for 48 percent. Maize is expected to account for the majority of ethanol production in the current 2025-26 marketing season as well. Oil marketing companies have allocated higher quotas for it.

Maize's contribution to India's ethanol blending program has gradually increased and has now reached a very high level. According to the All India Distillers Association, a leading organization of ethanol, bioenergy, and potable alcohol producers, maize's share in ethanol production increased from 42.6 percent in the 2023-24 season to 48 percent in the 2024-25 season.

In the past few years, maize has significantly surpassed traditional feedstocks (raw materials) sugarcane and damaged grains in ethanol production. Supply quotas for maize-based ethanol have been significantly increased. Domestic maize production is increasing, and distillers are receiving the required stocks.

The government has increased the procurement price of maize-based ethanol for oil marketing companies (OMCs) to ₹71.86 per liter, which is beneficial for distillers. Ethanol production from sugarcane components and damaged grains is now being equaled by maize alone.