UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, recently announced mills in the south-central region produced 5.81 billion liters (1.53 billion gallons) from the start of the current harvest season through June 16.

Mills in the region processed 39.41 million tons of sugarcane during the first half of June, up from 25.99 million tons during the same period last year. Sugarcane processing for current season, however, is still down. From the start of the current harvest through June 16, mills have crushed 151.25 million tons, down from 167.36 million tons during the same period of the previous harvest.

According to UNICA, 49.34 percent of sugarcane processed during the first half of June went to sugar production. Approximately 2.28 million tons of sugar was produced during the first half of the month, up from 1.2 million during the same period of 2016.

Since the beginning of the current year, the production of ethanol has reached 5.81 billion liters, including 2.39 billion liters of anhydrous ethanol and 3.43 billion liters of hydrous ethanol.

During the first half of June, ethanol production reached 1.51 billion liters, up from 1.08 billion liters during the same period of last year.

Plants in the south-central region sold 1.02 billion liters of ethanol during the first half of June, with 70.39 million destined for export, down 40.73 percent, and 948.28 million liters into the domestic market. In the domestic market, sales of anhydrous ethanol reached 407.03 million liters, with sales of hydrous ethanol reaching 541.24 million liters.