Brazil’s Centre-South region has achieved historic milestones in the 2023/24 crop, setting production records for sugarcane, sugar, and ethanol. The region processed a total of 654 million metric tons of sugarcane, marking a significant 19% increase from the previous crop, with near-perfect weather conditions contributing to this exceptional performance throughout the crop development and harvesting period.
The record-breaking crop concluded with a sugar production of 42.42 million tons, representing a substantial 25% increase, and an ethanol output of 33.59 billion liters, reflecting a remarkable 16% rise. Luciano Rodrigues, director of UNICA, expressed that the crop exceeded expectations, attributing the exceptional outcomes to the favorable conditions experienced throughout the season.
Mills in the region demonstrated a clear focus on boosting sugar production, with cane allocation to sugar reaching 48.8%, a notable increase from 44.6% in the previous year. This strategic emphasis on sugar production was driven by the aim to capitalize on high international prices, contributing to the significant surge in sugar output.
Notably, the record ethanol output was achieved through the increasing utilization of corn for ethanol production, with corn ethanol production witnessing a substantial 41% increase to reach 6.26 billion liters. This surge in corn ethanol production now accounts for nearly 20% of the total ethanol production, reflecting the evolving dynamics of Brazil’s ethanol industry.
Looking ahead, the market focus is shifting towards the new crop, with the warming up of plants and the indication of the pace of processing in the inter-crop period. In the second half of March, Brazil’s Centre-South region crushed 5.04 million metric tons of sugarcane, marking a 6.5% increase from the previous year, with notable rises in sugar and ethanol production, reflecting the industry’s momentum as it transitions into the new crop cycle.