Sugarcane harvest in the North and Northeast reaches 45,86 million tons

The volume of sugar cane processed by the production units in the North and Northeast, from the beginning of the 2023-2024 harvest until the end of the first half of January, reached 45,86 million tons. Indicators compiled by the Association of Sugar, Ethanol and Bioenergy Producers (NovaBio) reveal a 5,9% increase in crushing compared to the same period last year.

Data from the entity, which brings together 35 ethanol plants and distilleries in 11 Brazilian states, reveal that the production of sugar and ethanol (anhydrous and hydrated) maintained a growth trend in relation to the same period of the 2022-2023 cycle. Increases of 11,8% were recorded for the sweetener – 2,55 million tons compared to 2,28 million tons in the previous harvest, and 1,9% for biofuel – 1,81 billion liters compared to 1,78 billion of liters in the same period of the previous year, respectively.

With around 72% of the projection for the current harvest already realized, sugar maintains the leadership in production, activating exports originating in the Northeast. For Renato Cunha, executive president of NovaBio and president of the Sugar and Alcohol Industry Union in the State of Pernambuco (Sindaçúcar/PE), sugar production grew in the current harvest largely due to the exchange rate more favorable to exporters and above all due to the imbalance in the competitiveness of ethanol with gasoline, caused by the absence of a more predictable and stable policy.

“The forecast is that more than 67% of production will be destined abroad, with shipments of VHP, refined products and crystal directed to countries in the Americas, Africa, Europe and the Middle East”, highlights Cunha.

With more than two-thirds of the harvest carried out in the North and Northeast, hydrous ethanol production grew 10,3%. 902,6 million liters were manufactured compared to the 818 million liters recorded on January 15, 2023. In the case of anhydrous biofuel, which is mixed with gasoline, there was a drop of 5,3%, with 914 million liters compared to compared to 964 million in the previous cycle.

However, according to the president of NovaBio, the physical stock of anhydrous increased by 30%. 236,4 thousand liters are stored compared to 181,8 thousand liters recorded in the first fifteen days of last year. For hydrated, the decline was 17,43%, totaling 130,7 thousand liters against 158,3 thousand liters stored in the 2022-2023 harvest. Until January 15th, adding anhydrous and hydrated ethanol, the total stock of ethanol reached 367,1 thousand liters, a volume 41,54% higher compared to the 259,3 thousand liters observed in the last harvest.