Government restricts rice use for ethanol production after earlier curbs on sugarcane juice

The central government has officially restricted the use of <b>rice for ethanol</b> production to manage domestic food supplies and stabilize staple grain prices. Industry estimates suggest that the demand for <b>maize</b> as an alternative feedstock for ethanol could surge to 16 million tonnes next year, marking a notable jump from about 13 million tonnes in the current supply year. As traditional sources like sugarcane and rice face strict policy roadblocks, grain-based distilleries are compelled to aggressively pivot toward maize, pushing farmers and manufacturers to rapidly adapt to shifting agricultural priorities.