UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, has announced mills in the south-central region of the country processed 25.61 million tons of sugarcane during the first half of November, up 10.71 percent from the 23.14 million tons processed during the same period of last year.

From the start of the current season through mid-November, the region crushed 544.53 million tons, up from 538.46 million tons during the same period of the prior year.

Approximately 61.76 percent of sugarcane went towards ethanol production during the first half of November, up from 59.99 percent the previous year. Ethanol production reached 1.19 billion liters (314.36 million gallons) during the first half of the month, including 553.02 million liters of anhydrous ethanol and 638.96 million liters of hydrous ethanol. According to UNICA Technical Director Antonio de Padua Rodrigues, anhydrous ethanol production reached 21.59 liters per ton of processed cane during the first half of November.

From the start of the current season through mid-November, sugar production reached 58.72 million tons, down 6.2 percent compared to the same period of last year. Ethanol production reached 24.91 billion liters, including 15.41 billion liters of hydrous ethanol and 9.49 billion liters of anhydrous ethanol. Overall, ethanol volumes were 2.14 percent higher than the same period of last year.

Ethanol sales reached 1.23 billion liters during the first half of November, including 1.1 billion liters into the Brazilian market and 127.7 million liters destined for export. In the Brazilian market, hydrous ethanol sales reached 713.65 million liters, up 17.02 percent from last year. Sales of hydrous ethanol were up 17.02 percent from the previous year, reaching 713.65 million liters.

From the start of the current season, ethanol sales totaled 18.99 billion liters, including 17.63 billion liters sold into Brazil’s domestic market and 1.36 billion gallons destined for export. Overall sales were up 24.53 percent compared to last year.

In mid-November, UNICA announced hydrous ethanol sales into Brazil’s domestic market set a record in October, reaching 1.7 billion liters, up from 1.25 billion liters in October 2014. Sales of anhydrous ethanol in October totaled 763.34 million liters, down from 824.47 million liters during the same month of last year.

According to UNICA, 26 regional producing units had wrapped up this season’s crush activities by Nov. 15, down from 78 units last year. A considerable number of mills are expected to be operational into December.

During the first half of November, total recoverable sugars per ton of sugarcane was 128.49 kilograms, down from 135.36 kilograms during the same period of last year. From the start of the current season, total recoverable sugars per ton was 133.12 kilograms, down from 137 kilograms last year.