Brazil seen increasing ethanol imports in 2017/18 as production falls

In Brazil, analysts Datagro say the country will boost its ethanol imports next season as mills continue to cash in on high sugar prices due to a global deficit. The center-south industry is expected to crush between 580 million and 610 million metric tons next year compared to 597 million tons this year. Ethanol production is expected to fall to between 23.07 billion and 25.26 billion liters next year compared to 26 billion liters this year as mills shift to between 47.1 percent to 49.1 percent for sugar production against 46.3 percent so far this year through mid-September.