Brazil is strategically using corn to significantly increase its ethanol output and strengthen its global dominance in renewable fuels. Corn already supplies 20% of the country’s ethanol, a contribution enabled by 20 new biorefineries, over half of which are in the Midwest. Despite a projected total harvest of 137 million tons in 2025, dedicating 20 million tons to ethanol will not affect the domestic food supply. While sugarcane remains more energy-efficient, corn provides logistical benefits and greater potential for expansion. The industry plans to more than double production to 21.7 billion liters within a decade. This effort is made more profitable by valuable by-products like DDG and corn oil, and a strong domestic market is secured by the flex-fuel vehicles that make up 78% of all cars. This strategy solidifies Brazil’s role as a world leader in bioenergy and decarbonization.
Source: UOL / UDOP (*Translated by Ia Niani)
