The corn ethanol sector in Brazil is rapidly expanding. Itaú BVA claims that since 2019, its percentage of total production has risen from 2% to 19%; if half of the upcoming projects are finished, it is predicted to reach 22% in two years. According to Itaú BBA, 22 factories are under research, which could need roughly BRL 29 billion in capital and an extra 14 million tons of grain. This increase in places like Matopiba can strain supply. More than 6 billion liters of ethanol will be available on the market thanks to the new plants, but consumption is only expected to keep up with this rise in 2028. Itaú BVA stresses how higher ethanol consumption might help the Otto Cycle, especially in the North and Northeast regions, boosting corn output.
Source: Itaú BBA / Nova Cana (*Translated by Ia Niani)