Brazilian government to subsidize drought-stricken NE ethanol producers

In Brazil, the government has at last approved financial assistance for sugarcane ethanol producers in the drought-stricken northeastern states with up to $167 million available. Nearly 45 mills will be offered the subsidies based on the volume of ethanol they sold during the previous crop. In the areas of Alagoas and Pernambuco states, cane yields are up to 40% lower because of the drought.