Sugar stocks surged during market hours on September 2, 2025, after the government removed all limits on ethanol production from sugarcane-derived sources for the 2025-26 supply year. This major policy shift will support India's ambitious 20% ethanol blending goal in petrol.
Leading sugar stocks, including Avadh Sugar & Energy, Balrampur Chini Mills, Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar, Dalmia Bharat Sugar, and Shree Renuka Sugars, recorded gains of up to 15% after the announcement. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution permitted mills and distilleries to produce ethanol from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup, and B-heavy molasses without any quantitative restrictions starting November 1, 2025.
This move comes after a constrained 2023-24 ethanol year, which had restricted ethanol output due to lower sugarcane availability. The reversal is timely, considering favourable monsoon conditions are expected to boost sugarcane yields in 2025-26. With this positive production outlook, sugar mills can now channel more raw material into ethanol generation, which offers higher returns compared to sugar production.
By eliminating ethanol caps, sugar companies can maximise capacity utilisation and profitability. The government is targeting 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025 and possibly 30% in later years. Removing limitations enables better stock management of sugar and ensures flexibility in diverting excess molasses and cane juice to ethanol, bolstering earnings.
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Authorities have confirmed that they will continually assess sugar allocations to ensure adequate availability for consumer markets. This approach balances ethanol production growth with stability in domestic sugar prices and supply, aiming to avoid shortages or inflationary pressure.
The removal of ethanol production limits marks a positive turn for India's sugar industry. With supportive rainfall and policy alignment towards fuel alternatives, sugar companies are poised for better operational efficiency and improved margins in the coming fiscal.
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Published on: Sep 2, 2025, 4:07 PM IST
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