{
  "id": 15379964,
  "title": "India bars sugar-based ethanol in 2026-27 tender, cuts maize incentive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/india-bars-sugar-based-ethanol-in-2026-27-tender-cuts-maize-incentive",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T08:49:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-bars-sugar-based-ethanol-in-2026-27-tender-cuts-maize-incentive/article71599459.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India has barred sugar-based ethanol from its latest procurement tender for the 2026-27 supply year, lowering its incentive for maize-based ethanol to reduce competition with food supplies. The move reflects concerns over domestic sugar availability and rising prices following poor rainfall in key sugar-producing states. The ethanol-blended petrol program, which relies on both grain-based and sugarcane-based ethanol, aims to reduce crude oil imports and cut vehicle emissions. However, the restriction on sugar-based feedstocks emphasizes the need for alternative raw materials like maize, broken rice, surplus rice, and C-heavy molasses. The government is balancing energy-security objectives with the need to maintain adequate sugar supplies and contain domestic prices.",
  "summary": "The move comes amid concerns over domestic sugar availability and rising prices after poor rainfall in key sugar-producing States, including Maharashtra and Karnataka, raised the risk of lower output",
  "key_points": [
    "India bans sugar-based ethanol in 2026-27 tender",
    "Maize ethanol incentive reduced to curb food competition",
    "Focus shifts to maize, rice, molasses as alternative feedstocks"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}