BRAZIL: REDUCTION IN RAINFALL NOT EXPECTED TO AFFECT CANE PRODUCTION IN ALAGOAS

September 5, 2018
Sugaronline | https://goo.gl/8f8VLo

The reduction in rainfall verified in Brazil's Alagoas state in recent months is not expected to affect the sugarcane production, said Edgar Filho, president of local sugarcane producers association Asplana, according to Jornal de Alagoas news website.

“It will not be anything to compromise the harvest, which will be very good in this new cycle. We should have an increase in production compared to last year and reach 15 million tonnes,” he said.

Production of sugarcane could even reach 16 million tonnes this year, he added.

In spite of the overall reduced rainfall this year, Edgar Filho said that the state received enough rain in August. “That was a positive sign for September. If this scenario (of normal rainfall in September) is confirmed, it guarantees the harvest that we expect, of over 15 million tonnes of processed sugarcane.”

Local sugar industry association Sindaçúcar-AL estimates that mills in Alagoas state will crush 15 million tonnes of sugarcane this year, up from the 13 million tonnes processed in the previous harvest.

There are 18 mills located in Alagoas state. Santo Antônio, Camaragibe and Pindorama mills have already started activities for the season.