MAIZE FOR ETHANOL

Chana sowing holds key to pulses inflation

Chana, India's most consumed pulse, which is central to making everything from salty snacks to nutritious meals, needs adequate soil moisture and cool weather for a good crop. Sowing has started in some regions, but the progress is slow. State advisories to conserve water and shift to less water-intensive crops have added to concerns over winter sowing.

India’s drought-hit maize crunch pits poultry, ethanol makers in ‘me first’ fight

Drought conditions have caused a significant decrease in maize supply, leading to competition among industries for access. Poultry producers, starch manufacturers, and ethanol plants are all vying for limited maize resources, exacerbating the situation. As maize prices continue to rise, the poultry industry has expressed concerns about potential feed shortages. Industry bodies have urged the government to prioritize maize for food production over fuel use.

Farmers face 15% loss as poultry feed costs surge

Poultry farmers are currently experiencing losses of approximately 15% due to rising livestock feed costs. Key ingredients have seen price increases of up to 75%, affecting farmers' ability to cope. Dairy producers, particularly in drought-affected regions, struggle to source necessary fodder for their livestock. Feed manufacturers are also feeling the impact as higher prices reduce demand for their products.

Ethanol supplies top 987 crore litres by September, grain feedstocks lead: AIDA

By the end of September, India's cumulative ethanol receipts reached 987 crore litres in the current supply year. Grain-based feedstocks accounted for over 71 percent of total ethanol receipts during this period. Maize was the largest contributor, supplying 413 crore litres, while surplus rice contributed 222 crore litres. Sugar-based feedstocks also provided significant amounts, fulfilling nearly all of their allocations.

India’s monsoon risks may raise food industry costs: D&B

India is experiencing agricultural risks attributed to monsoon conditions, which could impact food processors and poultry producers. Procurement costs and inventory needs are likely to rise significantly due to these agricultural challenges. Rice and wheat stocks provide immediate buffers against potential food-supply issues, but maize faces direct risks from production shortfalls. Affected states include Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, which contribute significantly to overall foodgrain output.

SunBridge BioEnergy starts commercial production at Rs 350 crore ethanol plant

SunBridge BioEnergy Ltd has started commercial production of fuel-grade ethanol at its Seoni facility. This facility, with an investment of Rs 350 crore, has a daily production capacity of 300 kilolitres. The company also plans to increase its capacity by setting up another facility in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. SunBridge BioEnergy utilizes damaged food grains such as maize and broken rice for ethanol production.

As sugar markets swing, eBuySugar bets on scale and digital trade

With sugar prices, production, and trade policies becoming increasingly volatile, eBuySugar is expanding its role beyond simply connecting mills and buyers.

The debate is settling, the business is moving. Time to look at a larger set? 9 sugar-ethanol ecosystem stocks for the watchlist

A new fuel programme is not an easy thing to implement. And it sparks intense debate. Ethanol, for instance, has taken over two decades to reach some scale, and it has been dogged by controversies. But the noise is now dying down as it meets targets that were said to be impossible to achieve. Check out Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, for price targets of over 4,000 listed stocks along with detailed company analysis focusing on five key components – earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum – to generate standardised scores. SR+ Reports is a complimentary offering to ETPrime members.

Beyond the 7% headline: S&P maps the forces driving India’s next growth phase

India’s economy is set to grow 7% in FY27, according to S&P Global, which sees domestic demand, private investment, manufacturing, trade, energy security, renewable power, digital infrastructure and technology shaping India’s next phase of economic growth.

Nitin Gadkari says 100% ethanol car can cut fuel bills to just Rs 25 per litre

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said a car that runs entirely on ethanol, with no petrol needed at all, will launch in October. He said the running cost would work out equal to a petrol car using fuel priced at around Rs 25 a litre. Gadkari made the remarks while defending the government's ethanol blending policy and linking it to farmer income.

Smart rice policy would be nice

In the 2026-27 cycle, India's rice production is projected to fall by 6.5% compared to the previous year, largely due to monsoon rainfall being 15% below the seasonal average. This shortfall poses significant challenges for farmers, likely leading to financial hardship as both yields and cultivated areas decline. However, with high existing stockpiles, domestic markets may not face critical shortages.

Ethanol can help raise farmers' income and reduce fuel imports: Nitin Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said greater ethanol use could boost farmers’ incomes and reduce India’s dependence on petroleum imports. Launching Madhya Pradesh’s new public bus service, he also backed flex-fuel, electric and hydrogen vehicles, waste-to-fuel projects and expanded public transport, while outlining plans to increase bus manufacturing and jobs.

View: As oil tops $100, India needs a wider, smarter fuel security strategy

Rising oil prices necessitate energy supply diversification and alternate fuel adoption. India is urging the auto industry for flexi-fuel vehicle timelines and promoting ethanol blending. Exploring iso-butanol and methanol blending offers further emission reduction and import substitution. Second-generation biorefineries are crucial for scaling up compressed biogas production. Strategic oil reserves and domestic exploration are also vital for energy security.

Grain-based feedstocks power nearly 70% of India’s ethanol supplies in 2025-26

Grain-based feedstocks now supply nearly seventy percent of India's ethanol. Maize and surplus FCI rice are leading grain contributors to this supply. Sugar-based feedstocks also provide a substantial and important share of ethanol. India's ethanol capacity is expanding, requiring new utilization avenues. Future uses include Flex-Fuel Vehicles and Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Ethanol blending: India should consider temporary cut to 15% from 20% target, says ICRIER

India should consider temporarily lowering ethanol blending in petrol to 15% during severe feedstock shortages or sharp food-price pressures, while retaining the 20% target as a long-term goal, an ICRIER paper said. It also recommended greater sugar imports, flexibility in ethanol imports and faster adoption of non-food-based second-generation ethanol.

Government should adopt flexible approach to ethanol-blended petrol programme: ICRIER paper

A research paper recommends flexibility in India's ethanol blending program targets. It suggests maintaining E20 as a long-term goal while allowing temporary E15 reductions. This approach would respond to agricultural shocks and manage economic costs effectively. The paper advocates for a flexible feedstock strategy to avoid food market pressure.

India’s farm policy needs a reset amid concerns over ethanol push, subsidies: Agri expert Devinder Sharma

Sharma warns that ethanol-led changes in cropping patterns may create an environmental problem over the longer term.

Low inventories, El Nino to keep sugar market tight through FY27: DAM Capital

The Indian sugar sector is likely to remain in a tight-supply situation through FY27 and possibly beyond, with low inventories, weather risks and firm global prices expected to keep domestic sugar prices elevated, according to a research report by DAM Capital Advisors.

India gets the rain in August, but monsoon deficit still widens

India's monsoon rainfall deficit has widened to nearly fourteen percent. Erratic rainfall has hurt kharif crop sowing across several regions. Total area under summer-sown crops is lower than last year. Twelve states recorded rainfall deficits exceeding twenty percent since June. Eastern India may see some relief while peninsular India faces continued subdued activity.

Sunny side down? Egg prices rise on ethanol push

Rising diversion of maize to ethanol production has significantly increased poultry feed costs, leading to a 35-40% surge in egg prices over the past year. Maize prices have nearly doubled in three years, impacting the poultry industry which relies on it for 65-70% of its production costs. Experts anticipate further price increases as winter demand rises and maize diversion for ethanol is projected to grow.

Egg prices jump 40%: What’s scrambling India’s breakfast budget?

Ethanol is not the whole story behind India’s sugar price surge

Sugar prices have significantly increased due to production shortfalls and rising demand. Government data shows a substantial decline in expected sugar production for the season. International market trends and domestic supply issues also contribute to the current price situation. Ethanol diversion is a factor, but not the sole cause of the sugar price surge. Policymakers are addressing broader supply and inventory concerns with import decisions.

Congress demands review of E20 move, says 'anti-people' fuel policy unacceptable to country

Congress criticizes the Modi government's E20 fuel policy for increasing inflation. The policy allegedly causes higher prices for essential food items like sugar and rice. Vehicle owners face reduced mileage and potential damage from the ethanol blend. The party demands an urgent review and non-ethanol fuel options for the public.