According to a survey by S&P Global Commodity Insights, mills in Brazil’s center-south region are projected to have produced approximately 689,300 metric tons of sugar in the first half of April, marking a 27% increase compared to the same period last year.
S&P sugar analyst Bianca Guimaraes anticipates robust figures for the first half of April, with around 200 mills in operation. The sugar industry group UNICA is expected to release production data, likely on Thursday, marking the first report for the new season (2024/25), which officially commences in April.
The survey’s average estimate for sugarcane crush was 15.92 million metric tons, reflecting a 14.9% increase from the previous year. These estimates indicate a strong start to the season by the mills, despite expectations of a smaller crop in Brazil this year due to below-average rains.
Furthermore, the survey indicated that the total ethanol output from sugarcane and corn was expected to reach 931.3 million liters, representing an 18.8% year-on-year increase.
The significant rise in early April sugar production and ethanol output reflects a promising start to the new season in Brazil’s center-south region, contributing to the country’s vital role as a major player in the global sugar and ethanol markets.