UNICA: Sugarcane processing, ethanol production up in early August
August 29, 2023
BY Erin Voegele
Sugarcane processing in the south-central region of Brazil was up significantly during the first half of August, according to data released by UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association. Ethanol production and sales were also up during the two-week period.
Mills in the south-central region of Brazil processed 47.87 million tons of sugarcane during the first half of August, up 23.38 percent when compared to the same period of last year. Total sugarcane processing so far this harvest season, which began April 1, is at 360.05 million metric tons, up 11.65 percent when compared to the same period of 2022.
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Mills in the region produced 2.35 billion liters (620.08 million gallons) of ethanol during the two-week period, up 16.43 percent. Production included 1.42 billion liters of hydrous ethanol, up 22.46 percent, and 921.63 million liters of anhydrous ethanol, up 8.19 percent. Corn ethanol accounted for 12 percent, or 282 million liters, of production, up 70.22 percent.
Total ethanol production since the start of the current harvest season has reached 16.79 billion liters, up 6.84 percent, including 9.76 billion liters of hydrous ethanol, up 0.73 percent, and 7.03 billion liters of anhydrous ethanol, up 16.66 percent. Corn ethanol accounted for 2.23 billion liters of production, up 49.74 percent when compared to the same period of last year.
Mills in the south-central region of Brazil sold 1.32 billion liters of ethanol during the first half of August, up 8.74 percent when compared to the same period of 2022. Sales included 833.25 million liters of hydrous ethanol, up 25.36 percent, and 486.02 million liters of anhydrous ethanol, down 11.4 percent.
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Domestic sales included 752.38 million liters of hydrous ethanol, up 15 percent, and 477.41 million liters of anhydrous ethanol, down 3.86 percent.
Total ethanol sales since the beginning of the current harvest season reached 10.94 billion liters, up 1.76 percent. Sales include 6.12 billion liters of hydrous ethanol, down 4.83 percent, and 4.82 billion liters of anhydrous ethanol, up 11.58 percent.
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