Maize-based ethanol dominates India's biofuel supply this year

India's ethanol producers have tilted heavily toward maize-based production this year, with corn-derived ethanol representing approximately 60 percent of total supplies offered to oil marketing companies, according to industry data. The increased proportion of maize-based ethanol signals a notable shift in feedstock preferences among domestic producers meeting India's biofuel blending mandates.

This supply composition reflects the economic viability of maize-based ethanol production relative to other feedstocks traditionally used in India's ethanol sector. Maize offers producers competitive yields and processing advantages, particularly as domestic agricultural output and availability have expanded in recent years.

Oil marketing companies continue to source ethanol supplies for blending with petrol as part of India's broader energy security and emissions reduction strategy. The government has progressively increased blending targets, creating sustained demand for domestically produced ethanol across multiple feedstock categories.

The dominance of maize-based ethanol this year underscores the flexibility of India's ethanol supply chain and producers' capacity to respond to market conditions. However, industry observers note that feedstock diversity remains important for ensuring stable, long-term supply and managing agricultural commodity price volatility.