India bars sugar-based ethanol in 2026-27 tender, cuts maize incentive
India has decided to exclude sugar‑based ethanol from the 2026‑27 tender and reduce the maize incentive, citing worries about domestic sugar supply and price hikes. The ruling follows weak monsoon rains in major sugar‑producing states such as Maharashtra and Karnataka, which threatened lower output and heightened the risk of shortages. The government aims to protect farmers and ensure stable food prices.