India may import ethanol from US and Brazil if monsoon comes up short

In India, drought may hit sugarcane production and therefore is expected to negatively impact ethanol production from molasses to the point that imports will be required this season. Concern about a poor monsoon was validated this week as weather forecasters predicted a monsoon only 88% of average which will lead to drought. Ethanol imports are expected to come from the US and Brazil to supply the E5 mandate, freeing up local production for industrial use.