UNICA projects increase in Brazilian sugarcane harvest
In Brazil, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), projected a 2011/2012 sugarcane harvest of 568.50 million tons, up 2.11% from last year. UNICA is projecting that only five new mills will launch activities during the 2011/2012 harvest. That number is significantly lower than in recent years, the result of slower growth in the sugar-energy industry following the global credit crisis in 2008 and 2009. There were 25 new mills in the 2007/2008 harvest, 30 in 2008/2009, 19 in 2009/2010 and 10 mills in the last harvest.
Of the total sugarcane crop, UNICA estimates that 45.34% will be directed to the production of sugar, a slight increase over the 44.71% observed in the previous season. As in previous years, most of the cane harvested in the new season (54.66%) should continue to be used for ethanol production, resulting in 25.51 billion liters, 17.21 billion will be hydrous ethanol and 8.30 billion will be anhydrous ethanol.
Category: Research