Sugarcane harvest in Minas Gerais for 2026/27 is projected to grow by 11.6%, according to Siamig Bioenergia.

The 2026/27 sugarcane harvest in Minas Gerais is expected to reach 83.3 million tons, representing an 11.6% increase compared to the previous cycle (74.7 million tons). This growth is a result of a combination of slight area expansion (+1%) and a recovery in agricultural productivity (+10%), which increased from 72.1 to 79.4 tons per hectare. The data comes from SIAMIG Bioenergia (Association of the Bioenergy and Sugar Industry) and was presented at the 9th Opening of the Minas Gerais Sugar and Ethanol Harvest, promoted by CMAA, one of the main players in bioenergy production in Minas Gerais and Brazil, on April 24, 2026, at the Santa Vitória farm, near the Vale do Tijuco Unit, in Uberaba/MG. SIAMIG Bioenergia reports that favorable weather conditions throughout the sugarcane development period are contributing to increased productivity, and there is a good outlook for the recovery of ATR (Total Recoverable Sugar) levels. An improvement in raw material quality is projected, with the average ATR reaching 139.4 kg per ton of sugarcane (+1.4%). The area destined for milling should total approximately 1.05 million hectares, compared to 1.03 million in the previous cycle, while the total sugarcane area registers a 3% growth. In the industrial sector, total ATR production is estimated at 11.6 million tons, a 13.2% increase, mirroring the growth in milling. Defining the production mix remains one of the main strategic variables for the sector. In the base scenario, considering the maintenance of current conditions, the mix remains similar to the previous harvest, with approximately 55% of the sugarcane destined for sugar production. In this context, sugar production is expected to reach 6.1 million tons (+13.2%), while total ethanol production reaches 3.04 million cubic meters (+13.0%), with balanced growth between anhydrous and hydrated ethanol. In an alternative scenario, contingent on the advancement of measures that increase the competitiveness of hydrated ethanol in Minas Gerais, a significant change in the production mix is projected, with a reduction in the share of sugar to approximately 51% and a greater allocation of sugarcane to ethanol production. In this scenario, total ethanol production could reach 3.34 million cubic meters (+24.2%), with hydrated ethanol standing out, potentially reaching 2.23 million cubic meters, a substantial growth of 39.8%. On the other hand, sugar production would tend to grow more moderately, reaching 5.65 million tons (+4.6%). The projected performance for the 2026/2027 harvest in Minas Gerais reflects not only the recovery of agricultural indicators, such as area, productivity, and ATR (total recoverable sugar), but also the high industrial flexibility of the sector. The final direction of production should depend on market conditions and the regulatory environment, especially regarding the competitiveness of ethanol in the state.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.