The next sugarcane harvest in central-southern Brazil is set to grow by 4%, with a record volume of ethanol expected to be produced in the region’s mills. This information was presented during a Datagro consultancy event in Ribeirão Preto, highlighting the importance of the central-southern region, which includes key producing states like São Paulo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Mato Grosso do Sul. The anticipated output is influenced by various geopolitical uncertainties, including the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

According to projections, the total sugarcane milling is expected to reach 635 million tons, a notable increase from the previous harvest's 610.5 million tons. While this forecast exceeds the production levels of the last two years, it still falls short of the historical record achieved in the 2023/24 harvest, which reached 654.4 million tons. This reflects the ongoing dynamics in the agricultural sector following last year's fluctuations and the impact of global market trends.

The current sugarcane harvest season runs from April to March of the following year, indicating that the 2026/27 harvest will officially start on April 1st. The viability of the projected scenarios will depend on various factors, including weather conditions, international demand, and the geopolitical landscape, which could affect production and pricing in the upcoming months. The increase in ethanol production is particularly significant given the rising global interest in sustainable fuels and energy sources.