Economy

Brazil to produce 31.6 billion liters of ethanol

Corn has gained more ground in alcohol production

Agência Brasil

Published on 23/08/2019 - 08:16

Brasília

Plantação de cana-de-açúcar, usada para produzir açúcar e etanol — © Arquivo/Elza Fiúza/ABr

This year, Brazil is likely to produce 30.3 billion liters of ethanol from sugar cane and another 1.34 billion liters from corn—a total of 31.6 billion liters. The figures from the second survey of the Sugar Cane Harvest 2019/20 were published today (Aug 22) by the country’s National Supply Company, Conab.

Anhydrous ethanol, used in combination with gasoline, is expected to reach 10.5 billion liters—up 12.6 percent from 2018/19. As for hydrated alcohol, sold at gas stations, the forecast is a reduction of 14.1 percent from the previous harvest, down to 19.8 billion liters.

Corn is reported to have gained more prominence in Brazil’s fuel production. The Central-West ranks first among regions using the cereal to produce ethanol—94.2 percent of the country’s offer in 2019 (1.27 billion liters), up 62.4 percent from the previous harvest.

Sugar

The data also found that the sugar output should stand at 31.8 million tons this year, up 9.5 percent. Sugar cane is predicted to increase 0.3 percent from the previous harvest, reaching 622.3 million tons. On the other hand, the harvested area is estimated at 8.38 million hectares, down 2.4 percent.