Thailand to boost raw sugar consumption for ethanol

In Thailand, Reuters reports that the country will boost the volume of raw sugar it uses for ethanol production to 500,000 metric tons from the typical 200,000 tons diverted for feedstock. Thailand has produced a record 14 million tons of sugar this season but is trying to find ways to divert sugar from the world market that is already seeing a large surplus and sugar prices at 2.5-year lows. Tapioca prices have also increased, so cheaper sugar prices will be seen as a relief to ethanol producers.