O mercado internacional sucroalcooleiro para o Brasil

Abstract

This work aimed to discuss the possibilities and restrictions in the international markets of sugar and ethanol for Brazilian producers. The methodology employed descriptive analyses of the main opportunities in the respective world markets. The likely new opportunities associated to needs of alternative sources of energy and the impacts related to changes in the European Union’s sugar regime were discussed. In general, the sugar/alcohol sector in Brazil faces good prospects in global markets of sugar and ethanol. In the case of sugar production, Brazil can take advantage of the moment because there is a new international articulation in sector, associated to changes in the European Union. Concurrently, the use of ethanol is aligned with the Kyoto Protocol disciplines. Surely the final mix of sugar/ethanol production is uncertain. It depends on the sugar and ethanol prices in domestic and foreign markets, and it will be tied to decisions of third countries in substituting oil as main energetic source.