Brazilian hydrous ethanol sales jump 17% during H1 March

In Brazil, Platts reports that UNICA data shows hydrous ethanol sales jumped during the last first half of March, rising more than 17% compared to the second half of February, in response to Petrobras’ decision to increase gasoline prices in line with rising crude oil prices. Sales totaled 434.72 million liters, more than 10% above the same period last year. Anhydrous sales, on the other hand, fell nearly 19% on the year even if it was slightly higher than two weeks prior. During the first half of March, the ethanol parity remained below the key 70% level against gasoline.