São Paulo dominates sugarcane production in the Center-South region.

Sugarcane production in the Center-South region of Brazil remains concentrated in a few states and municipalities, although it maintains a wide territorial presence. This is shown by a survey from Serasa Experian, based on satellite images, referring to the 2025/26 harvest.

According to the study, the area available for harvesting in the region exceeds 8,9 million hectares. Of this total, 57,5% are concentrated in São Paulo, the main center of the crop. The remaining 42,5% are distributed among Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Mato Grosso do Sul.

At the state level, four states account for 91% of the cultivated area in the Center-South region. Besides São Paulo, Goiás (12,3%), Minas Gerais (12,2%), and Mato Grosso do Sul (8,9%) stand out, consolidating the expansion of the crop outside the São Paulo axis.

Despite the high concentration, sugarcane is present in about 25% of the municipalities in the region—more than 800 producing cities. Even so, only 12 municipalities concentrate approximately 10,4% of the total cultivated area, highlighting the formation of high-scale production centers.

Among the main municipalities are Uberaba (MG), Quirinópolis (GO), Nova Alvorada do Sul and Rio Brilhante (MS), in addition to traditional centers in São Paulo, such as Morro Agudo, Barretos and Guaíra.

The survey also points to differences in land use between states. In São Paulo, approximately 36% of areas suitable for agriculture are occupied by sugarcane. In Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Mato Grosso do Sul, this percentage varies between 5% and 6%, indicating room for expansion of the crop.

According to Serasa Experian, this scenario reinforces the strategic role of sugarcane in the context of biofuels and the energy transition, as well as highlighting its growth potential in new agricultural frontiers.