Analysis-Brazil corn ethanol boom covers demand as country hikes biofuel mandate

In Brazil, Reuters reports UNICA data shows corn ethanol production rose by more than 30% in 2024/25 while sugarcane-based ethanol has remained stagnant for a decade. With the increase of ethanol blending to 30%, demand will rise by another 1 billion liters. Although demand will increase with the higher blend, sugarcane mills are expected to remain focused on sugar production rather than ethanol as corn can fill the gap. UNICA’s secretary general says the feedstock doesn’t matter as much as being low emission.