UNICA: Don’t be fooled by big Brazilian sugarcane harvest data

Biofuels Digest
August 04, 2010 Jim Lane

In Brazil, accumulated sugarcane crushing from the beginning of the harvest to July 15 totaled 255.19 million tons, up 20.26% over the same period in the 2009/2010 harvest.

However, UNICA is warning that the drier climate during the current harvest season, with rainfall below historical averages, led to a significant advance in the rate of harvesting, and should reduce agricultural productivity of the cane yet to be harvested.

It can also lead to an early end of the harvest in most cane producing areas of the South-Central Region. UNICA said that the early end to the harvest may prompt growers to harvest “early cane” – additional tonnage that has not fully grown over a 12-month cycle. Up to 27 million tons of early cane could be harvested, which would potentially have significant impact on next year’s harvests and put further pressure on global sugar prices.

Read more