Supply of 515 Crore Liters of Ethanol in the November–April Half-Year

11-May-2026 05:18 PM

New Delhi. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have allocated a total supply quota of 1,059 crore liters of ethanol for the 2025-26 marketing season (November–October). This quota comprises 767 crore liters of ethanol produced from grains—including maize and government-procured rice, as well as other damaged grains—and 291 crore liters produced from sugarcane-based inputs. An adjustment of 36 crore liters was made in November 2025.

During the first half of the current marketing season—specifically from November 2025 to April 2026—ethanol manufacturers supplied approximately 515 crore liters of ethanol, accounting for 49 percent of the total allocated quota. Within this volume, the contribution of grain-based ethanol stood at 333 crore liters (or 43 percent), while the share of sugarcane-based ethanol was 182 crore liters (or 62 percent). In India, ethanol is produced from damaged grains, government-procured food grains, and maize; conversely, when utilizing sugarcane-based inputs, it is manufactured from sugarcane juice/syrup, B-heavy molasses, and C-heavy molasses.

Ethanol supplies to the Oil Marketing Companies are being delivered on a regular basis. Under this arrangement, 45 crore liters of ethanol were supplied in November 2025 and 102 crore liters in December 2025; subsequently, the supply volume was recorded at 91 crore liters in January 2026, 89 crore liters in February, 95 crore liters in March, and 92 crore liters in April.

Although the sugarcane crushing season has concluded, ethanol production continues unabated at distilleries; consequently, supplies are expected to proceed without interruption throughout the coming months.

Currently, a mandatory rule mandating a 20 percent ethanol blend in petrol is in force in India, while distillers are demanding an increase in this level to help them utilize a larger portion of their total installed production capacity.