India allocates 5.2M tons of rice for ethanol to manage surplus stocks and boost blending targets amid sugarcane shortages.

• Rice ethanol use rises as FCI holds 59.5M tons, exceeding targets, easing corn price pressures.
• India nears 20% ethanol blending goal at 19.8%, up from 14.6% last year, thanks to abundant rice.
• Surplus rice stocks may force more ethanol use next year as exports hit 40% of global shipments.