Brazilian mills look back to ethanol as sugar rush fizzles

In Brazil, Reuters reports that hopes for a recovery in sugar prices sufficient to drive a shift in production away from ethanol have withered and mills are reworking plans in order to focus again on ethanol production. Sopex expects ethanol to account for around 65% of this season’s cane crush rather than 60% or less as some expected. Mills are idling some sugar production and even laying off workers in anticipation of low demand for sugar and continued focus on ethanol.