Sugarcane crushing reaches 49 million tons in the first half of June

In the first half of June, production units in the Center-South region processed 49 million tons compared to 40,67 million in the 2023/2024 harvest – which represents an increase of 20,48%. In the 2024/2025 harvest up to June 16, crushing reached 189,46 million tons, compared to 167,29 million tons recorded in the same period in the previous cycle – growth of 13,25%.

Unica's director of Sector Intelligence, Luciano Rodrigues, explains that “the fortnightly variation in crushing should be viewed with caution, as last year's reference base was harmed by the weather condition that impacted crushing in June 2023”.

In the first fifteen days of June, eight units began crushing the 2024/2025 harvest. At the end of the fortnight, 255 units remained in operation in the Center-South, 238 units processing sugar cane, nine companies that manufacture ethanol from corn and eight flex plants. =

Regarding the quality of the raw material, the level of Total Recoverable Sugars (ATR) recorded in the first half of June reached 134,47 kg of ATR per ton of sugarcane, compared to 135,25 kg per ton in the 2023 harvest /2024 – negative variation of 0,58%. In the accumulated result for the harvest, the indicator shows 125,38 kg of TRS per ton, a drop of -1,34%.

“Despite the drier climate this year, no increase in ATR concentration has been observed. The physiological development of the crop was compromised by the unfavorable weather conditions, also damaging the quality of the raw material”, adds the executive.

Sugar and ethanol production

Sugar production in the second half of June totaled 3,12 million tons, registering an increase of 20,48% compared to the amount recorded in the same period in the 2023/2024 harvest (2,56 million tons). In the accumulated period since the beginning of the harvest until June 16, the production of the sweetener totaled 10,95 million tons, against 9,57 million tons in the previous cycle (+14,42%). 

Rodrigues highlights that “most of the growth in sugar production comes from the increase in crushing, which has reached 13,25% to date. Sugar production per ton of raw material has made little progress so far, going from 57,21 kilos of sugar per ton of cane in the 2023/2024 cycle to 57,8 kilos in the current harvest.” 

In the first half of June, ethanol production by units in the Center-South reached 2,25 billion liters, 1,32 billion liters of hydrated ethanol (+29,56%) and 926,83 million liters of ethanol anhydrous (+4,85%). In the current agricultural cycle, biofuel manufacturing totaled 8,71 billion liters (+12,24%), of which 5,64 billion were hydrated ethanol (+25,91%) and 3,07 billion were anhydrous (- 6,43%).

Of the total ethanol obtained in the first half of June, 14% was manufactured from corn, recording production of 306,34 million liters this year, compared to 258,37 million liters in the same period of the 2023/2024 cycle – an increase of 18,56%. Year to date since the beginning of the harvest, corn ethanol production reached 1,51 billion liters – an increase of 26,6% compared to the same period last year.

Ethanol sales

In the first fifteen days of June, ethanol sales totaled 1,44 billion liters, which represents a positive variation of 17,87% compared to the same period of the 2023/2024 harvest. 

In the domestic market, the volume of hydrated ethanol sold by units in the Center-South totaled 904,95 million liters, which represents an increase of 44,53% compared to the same period in the previous harvest. The sale of anhydrous ethanol, in turn, reached the mark of 498,27 million liters, a decrease of 4,77%.

In the 24/25 harvest, the sale of ethanol by units in the Center-South totaled 7,25 billion liters, registering growth of 26,21%. The accumulated volume of hydrated ethanol totaled 4,78 billion liters (+48,34%), while that of anhydrous ethanol reached 2,47 billion liters (-2,08%).

“Following the movement observed since the beginning of 2024, sales of hydrated ethanol continue to record robust annual growth, with an average of more than 40%, reflecting the competitiveness of biofuel at the pump and consumer preference”, highlights Rodrigues.