Brazilian hydrous ethanol prices seen strengthening further despite weak January sales

In Brazil, Platts reports that although demand for hydrous ethanol softened in January, hydrous prices should still continue to rise through March as is typical during the inter-harvest season when the main center-south region crushes significantly less sugarcane. January hydrous ethanol sales fell 4.3% on the year to 1.75 billion liters, Platts quoted from an unidentified industry report. Sugar futures prices recently flipped to a premium over ethanol whereas ethanol had been more profitable to produce for sugar mills during the past few years.