Brazil to vote on ethanol import tariff Wednesday

In Brazil, northeastern sugar millers are concerned that the Ministry of Finance will work in favor of foreign ethanol imports from the US rather than protecting their domestic industry when the proposed reinstatement of an import tariff on ethanol comes up for a vote at the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. The agriculture ministry is suggesting a tariff of 17%. The tariff was suspended in 2011 until 2019 but a 63% increase in ethanol imports last year, especially to the north-northeast region has raised concerns.