The Food Corporation of India (FCI) sold rice to ethanol distilleries at ₹2,250-2,320 per quintal between June 2025 and June 2026, roughly 40% below its average acquisition cost of ₹3,720-3,889 per quintal, according to a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
Minister of state for consumer affairs, food and public distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, replying to a question by MP Ashok Singh, said FCI dispatched 6.35 million tonnes of rice worth ₹14,596.78 crore from its warehouses to ethanol plants over the 12-month period.
Haryana received the largest quantity among the top five recipients at 844,141 tonnes, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 838,645 tonnes, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh combined at 658,952 tonnes, West Bengal at 584,672 tonnes, and Madhya Pradesh at 432,485 tonnes.
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Under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic), the price for ethanol distilleries was ₹2,250 per quintal from June to October 2025 and ₹2,320 per quintal from November 2025 to October 2026. It has been set at ₹2,390 per quintal for November 2026 to June 2027.
