economy

Maize surpasses rice as India's top ethanol feedstock, data shows

Published on: 29 Jul 2026, 04:56 PM

NEW DELHI: The use of maize for ethanol production in India has overtaken that of rice and damaged food grains, according to data from the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution presented to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The shift marks a significant change in the country's ethanol blending programme, with maize now the leading grain-based feedstock.

As of June 2025, distilleries under the government's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme had used approximately 68 lakh tonnes of maize, compared to 54 lakh tonnes of surplus rice and damaged food grains (including broken rice) supplied by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The current ethanol supply year (ESY) runs from October to September, with two months still remaining.

Maize was not used for ethanol production at all in ESY 2020-21 and 2021-22. Its usage began modestly in ESY 2022-23 with 8.3 lakh tonnes, then soared to 75.4 lakh tonnes in ESY 2023-24, and reached an all-time high of 131 lakh tonnes in ESY 2024-25. In comparison, FCI-supplied rice and broken rice for ethanol production stood at just over 50 lakh tonnes in ESY 2024-25.

The ministry stated that diversifying feedstock sources—including sugarcane juice, B-heavy and C-heavy molasses, maize, damaged food grains, and surplus FCI rice—has reduced dependence on any single crop and supported agricultural diversification. The inclusion of maize has provided farmers with assured markets and better prices.

FCI sells surplus rice for ethanol production only after meeting requirements under the National Food Security Act and other welfare schemes, while maintaining a buffer stock. Notably, FCI had stopped supplying rice for ethanol during ESY 2022-23.

According to the sugar industry, for ESY 2025–26, only 2,890 million litres (28%) of ethanol will come from sugar-based feedstocks, while 7,610 million litres (72%) will come from grain-based sources. Of that, maize accounts for 4,780 million litres (45%) and rice for 2,830 million litres (22%).

On Tuesday, the government informed the Rajya Sabha that FCI had sold rice to ethanol distilleries at Rs 2,250–2,320 per quintal during June 2025–June 2026—about 40% below its acquisition cost of Rs 3,720–3,889 per quintal, which includes minimum support price and storage costs.

Source: Times of India

Latest in Economy 10

economy

Commercial LPG Cylinder Up ₹10, Third Straight Monthly Hike Ahead of Festive Season

Commercial LPG cylinder prices rose by around ₹10 on November 1, 2026, the third consecutive monthly increase, taking the Delhi rate to ₹2,820. The revision follows a ₹65 hike in October and a smaller increase in September, partly offsetting the ₹380 cumulative cut in July and August. Domestic household cylinder prices are set separately and are not part of this change.

The Hindu 01 Nov 2026, 03:44 AM

economy

AI cost fears trigger sharp fall in US tech stocks

US technology stocks fell sharply on Friday as investors worried about the rising cost of AI infrastructure. Intel shares dropped as much as 30% and Amazon and Alphabet also declined, while the Nasdaq opened at a two-month low. Analysts said questions are growing over when heavy AI spending will translate into profits.

BBC News 30 Oct 2026, 03:46 PM

economy

Deepavali: Tirunelveli rolls out ₹200 grocery bags at 128 rural cooperative shops

Tirunelveli District Collector Anand Mohan has inaugurated the sale of ₹200 grocery bags containing 10 items, weighing 1.40 kg in all, through 128 cooperative society shops in the district's rural areas ahead of Deepavali. No ration card is needed and the items will not be sold separately. A similar sale was launched in Tenkasi district.

The Hindu 30 Oct 2026, 01:53 PM

economy

World Bank: India Lifted 496 Million People Out of Extreme Poverty in 12 Years

The World Bank's October 2026 Poverty and Equity Brief estimates that India lifted about 496 million people out of extreme poverty between 2011 and 2023, with the share of the population in extreme poverty falling from 27.1 per cent to 2.6 per cent. It credits consumption growth, rising employment and expanded social transfers, while flagging a concentration of poverty in a belt from Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal and rising youth unemployment.

NDTV 30 Oct 2026, 05:09 AM

economy

Tiruppur disburses ₹38.56 crore in bank loans to 20 new entrepreneurs under State schemes

The Tiruppur District Industries Centre disbursed ₹38.56 crore in bank loans to 20 new entrepreneurs at a Credit Facilitation Camp held on Wednesday. The loans, under four State self-employment schemes, will fund manufacturing, service and trading enterprises. Two more camps are planned for November and December.

The Hindu 29 Oct 2026, 01:55 PM

economy

Aavin Hikes Prices of 25 Milk Products Ahead of Deepavali, Cites Rising Input Costs

Aavin has increased prices of around 25 milk-based products, including ghee, curd, and buttermilk, ahead of Deepavali, citing rising raw material and procurement costs. The federation says 90% of the additional revenue will go to dairy farmers. A consumer activist criticised the timing, noting that consumers are already dealing with high prices of essential commodities.

The Hindu 27 Oct 2026, 03:49 PM

economy

Rice at ₹85 a kg: Telangana warns traders against artificial shortage as prices bite

Rice prices in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana have risen from about ₹45 to ₹80–₹85 a kilogram, straining household budgets. The State Civil Supplies department has warned wholesalers and retailers against creating an artificial scarcity and directed them to display stock and price details at their outlets. Officials said stocks and prices will be monitored continuously.

The Hindu 27 Oct 2026, 03:55 PM

economy

Sensex drops 282 points as high crude oil prices and IT stock selling drag markets

The Sensex fell 281.95 points to 73,316.21 and the Nifty slipped 63.15 points to 22,694.60 in early trade, dragged by elevated crude oil prices and selling in IT stocks such as Infosys, TCS and HCL Tech. Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth ₹1,462.49 crore on Monday, while markets await the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy guidance on inflation and interest rates.

The Hindu 27 Oct 2026, 05:50 AM

economy

Noel Tata Calls Chandrasekaran's Reappointment 'Void', Seeks Records on TVS Motor Dealings

Noel Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts, has written to Tata Sons calling the September 17 resolution reappointing N Chandrasekaran as executive chairman "void" and demanding board records on how the decision was taken. His letter also asks whether potential conflicts of interest involving TVS Motor and a company linked to Chandrasekaran's family were disclosed. The claims are unverified and no finding of wrongdoing has been made.

NDTV 27 Oct 2026, 03:16 AM

economy

Telangana farmers cash in as rice prices soar; buyers pre-book paddy harvest

Paddy farmers in Telangana are selling fresh fine rice harvest at ₹3,000–₹3,500 per quintal in open markets, above the MSP of ₹2,450 plus a ₹500 bonus. Individual buyers are pre-booking harvests to lock in prices, even as the State has urged farmers to avoid Rabi paddy sowing because of an El Niño-linked water shortage.

The Hindu 26 Oct 2026, 03:32 AM

→ View All Economy News