Sugarcane production in Brazil falls 4,8% in the 2024/25 harvest

Brazil's sugarcane production for the 2024/25 harvest is estimated at 678,67 million tons, a reduction of 4,8% compared to the previous cycle. This drop is mainly due to adverse weather conditions that affected the main producing regions. The information is from Conab.

On the other hand, the area destined for harvest increased by 4,3%, reaching 8,7 million hectares, which was not enough to compensate for the drop in productivity, which registered 78.048 kg/ha, a reduction of 8,8%. The main climatic factors that negatively impacted the harvest were low rainfall and high temperatures, in addition to burning in sugarcane fields, especially in the Center-South region, which is responsible for 91% of national production.

The Southeast region, the main producer, suffered a 7,4% drop in the 2024/25 harvest, totaling 434,48 million tons. The state of São Paulo, the largest producer in the country, was one of the most affected, with a drop of 35,24 million tons compared to the previous harvest. Despite the 5,7% increase in the harvested area in the Southeast, which reached 5,39 million hectares, productivity fell 12,3%, reaching 80.650 kg/ha. Unfavorable weather conditions and fires contributed to the drop in yield.

In the Central-West, the situation was different, with a 2,5% increase in production, which reached 148,62 million tons. The area destined for harvesting in the region also grew by 3,9%, reaching 1,85 million hectares. However, there was a slight drop of 1,3% in productivity, which stood at 80.451 kg/ha. In Minas Gerais, productivity was affected by irregular rainfall between October and December 2023, but the planted area increased by 3,1%, reflecting a positive moment for the sector.

In the Northeast region, a 2,2% increase in sugarcane production is expected, which should total 57,72 million tons. The harvest in the region is underway and 55% of production is expected to be harvested by the end of November. In Pernambuco, the reaction was positive due to the growth in the area and the favorable climate conditions, with an expected increase in ATR (total recoverable sugar). However, the South of the country was not so lucky, registering a 12,8% drop in production, which stood at 33,76 million tons, reflecting the drop in productivity and cultivated area.

The 2024/25 harvest was also marked by challenges such as stalk wilt syndrome, caused by fungi that impacted sugarcane quality in some regions. The fires affected more than 400 thousand hectares of sugarcane fields, leading to the loss of fully developed plantations and the need for replanting in several areas. These factors are expected to continue to impact the 2025/26 harvest, mainly due to the need for environmental recovery and soil adjustment.