India supplied 895 crore litres of ethanol by the end of August 2026, against a contracted quantity of 1,048 crore litres for Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26, according to data compiled by the All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA). This represents around 85% of the contracted volume.
Grain-based feedstocks accounted for 624 crore litres, or nearly 70% of cumulative supplies, while sugar-based feedstocks contributed 271 crore litres. The data indicates a larger contribution from grain-based production pathways within the overall ethanol supply mix.
Within the grain-based segment, maize was the largest individual feedstock, contributing 345 crore litres. Surplus Food Corporation of India (FCI) rice accounted for 214 crore litres, while damaged food grains contributed 64 crore litres.
Grain-Based Ethanol Accounts For Nearly 70% Of Supplies
Of the 895 crore litres supplied by August-end, 624 crore litres came from grain-based feedstocks, compared with 271 crore litres from sugar-based sources. The grain-based allocation for the year stood at 760 crore litres, according to the AIDA data table, against 624 crore litres supplied by August-end.
Maize's 345 crore litre contribution made it the largest contributor among all individual feedstocks. Surplus FCI rice followed with 214 crore litres, while damaged food grains accounted for 64 crore litres.
The data also points to the use of multiple agricultural resources in ethanol production. AIDA said the wider feedstock base allows production to draw on different agricultural sources depending on availability, providing greater flexibility to the supply chain.
Sugar-Based Ethanol Supplies Reach 271 Crore Litres
Sugar-based feedstocks contributed 271 crore litres by August-end. Sugarcane juice accounted for 149 crore litres, followed by B Heavy Molasses at 107 crore litres and C Heavy Molasses at 15 crore litres.
AIDA said the continued contribution from both grain- and sugar-based pathways supports a multi-feedstock approach as the ethanol programme moves into its next phase.
Ethanol Supplies Reach 85% Of Contracted Volume
The industry supplied 895 crore litres against 1,048 crore litres contracted for ESY 2025-26 by August-end, leaving 153 crore litres of the contracted quantity yet to be supplied.
AIDA said the next issue for the sector will increasingly be matching growth in ethanol production with sufficient and predictable avenues for utilisation. It identified Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), compressed biogas (CBG), sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other applications as potential demand avenues as India looks beyond the current blending framework.
AIDA Deputy Director General Bharati Balaji said the August-end figures show that grain-based feedstocks have become a significant part of the supply mix, while sugar-based sources continue to provide a substantial volume. She said the diversification reduces reliance on a single feedstock pathway.
Balaji also said the sector's focus would need to increasingly shift towards utilisation of the production and supply capacity already established. According to her, additional demand from FFVs, CBG, SAF and other ethanol applications, alongside a predictable policy framework, would be important for supporting continued investment and the wider use of the available capacity.
Key Ethanol Supply Numbers For August 2026
- Total ethanol supplied: 895 crore litres
- Total contracted quantity: 1,048 crore litres
- Contracted quantity supplied: Approximately 85%
- Grain-based ethanol: 624 crore litres
- Grain-based share: Approximately 70%
- Sugar-based ethanol: 271 crore litres
- Sugar-based share: Approximately 30%
- Maize: 345 crore litres
- Surplus FCI rice: 214 crore litres
- Damaged food grains: 64 crore litres
- Sugarcane juice: 149 crore litres
- B Heavy Molasses: 107 crore litres
- C Heavy Molasses: 15 crore litres
AIDA's August-end data shows that grain-based and sugar-based feedstocks are both contributing to India's domestic ethanol supply, with grain-based sources accounting for the larger share so far in ESY 2025-26. The association said the next phase will require alignment between feedstock availability, production capacity and end-use demand.