Sugar Prices Soar: How India’s Ethanol Push Is Creating a New Food vs Fuel Problem | Indian Express

Sugar prices have surged nearly 40% in just weeks, with the all-India modal retail price rising from ₹45/kg in July to ₹65/kg by late August. But is India’s ethanol programme really responsible? In this episode of The Indian Express, Sayoni Aiyar breaks down the sugar price crisis, the impact of severe weather on sugarcane production, and the government policies that may have worsened the supply crunch. The bigger story, however, is ethanol. India’s E20 programme was originally designed as a way to support the sugar industry. But today, nearly three-fourths of India’s ethanol supply is coming from grain rather than sugarcane — including maize and subsidised FCI rice. With sugar stocks heading towards a 17-year low, maize potentially facing supply pressures, and millions of tonnes of rice being diverted from food to fuel, India faces a difficult question: Are we moving too fast on energy security at the cost of food security? From sugar prices and Diwali demand to FCI rice, ethanol blending, E20, agricultural policy and groundwater stress, we examine how India got here — and what needs to change. I’m Sayoni Aiyar, and this is The Indian Express. #SugarPrices #Ethanol #E20 #FoodSecurity #IndiaEconomy #SugarCrisis #IndianAgriculture #IndianEconomy #Diwali #FCIRice The Indian Express brings you comprehensive coverage of global & indian politics, election news, business news, world affairs, sports, entertainment, Bollywood, and public policy. Go beyond the headlines with exclusive interviews, explainers, ground reports, editorials, opinion, and expert analysis that help you understand the stories shaping India and the world. With accurate, fact-based reporting backed by over 90 years of credible journalism, The Indian Express brings context and clarity to the issues that matter. Subscribe to The Indian Express for in-depth news, India news, live updates, business news, political analysis, world news, and insightful conversations that keep you connected with the stories shaping our times. You can search us on YouTube by: @indianexpress, indian express, indian express newspaper today,indian express newspaper,indian express editorial analysis,indian express analysis,indian express analysis today,indian express,indian express news,the indian express newspaper analysis,the indian express,the indian express newspaper analysis today,the indian express editorial analysis,the indian express newspaper. Stay Tuned To Indian Express For More Updates: https://indianexpress.com/ Watch Out Our Top Shows: 🡆 Express Investigation -    • Express Investigation   🡆 Idea Exchange -    • Idea Exchange   🡆 POV -    • POV.   🡆 Indian Express Explained -    • Indian Express Explained   🡆 Express Adda-    • Express Adda (Latest)   🡆 News Analysis By Neeta Sharma-    • News Analysis by Neeta Sharma   🡆 UPSC Essentials-    • UPSC ESSENTIALS: ART & CULTURE with Devdut...   #LatestNews #BreakingNews #EnglishNews Subscribe to our Channel: The Indian Express: http://goo.gl/RjJrX0 Connect with us: Facebook:   / indianexpress   Twitter:   / indianexpress   Indian Express App: http://indianexpress.com/apps/ Official Website: https://indianexpress.com/