Ethanol production in south central Brazil dips in second half of September

Central-south Brazil ethanol production showed a decrease in the second half of September to 1.44 billion liters (380 million gallons), against 1.8 billion liters (480 million gallons) produced in the first half of the month, industry association Unica said. Of the 1.8 billion total production in the first half of the month, 810.83 million (210 million gallons) liters were anhydrous ethanol (dry), which has a purity of at least 99% and meets specification standard for use as motor fuel; and 990.43 million liters (260 million gallons) of hydrous ethanol (wet), which is the most concentrated grade of ethanol that can be blended effectively with gasoline without the separation phase or other problems.
Ethanol production in the second half of September consisted of 633.91 million liters of anhydrous and 802.1 million liters (211 million gallons) of hydrous ethanol.
 
Ethanol sales by central south producers in the second half of September totaled 990.41 million liters of which 226.76 million (59 million gallons) liters were for export and 763.64 million liters (201 gallons) were for the domestic market. This is slightly higher than the sales in the first half of September of 971.27 million liters (256 million gallons) of which 196.35 million liters (51 million gallons) were for export and 774.92 million liters (204 million gallons) were for domestic use.
 
A total of 15.13 billion liters (3.99 billion gallons) of ethanol were produced from early April to the end of September of which 5.99 billion liters (1.58 billion gallons) was anhydrous ethanol and 9.14 billion liters (2.41 billion gallons) hydrous ethanol. Total ethanol sales for the same period amounted ton10.66 billion liters comprising of 4.56 billion liters (1.2 billion gallons) of anhydrous ethanol and 6.1 billion liters (1.6 billion gallons) of hydrous ethanol. Of this, 1.76 billion liters (464 million gallons) were for export, and 8.9 billion liters (2.35 billion gallons) were for domestic use, Unica said.
 
The volume of sugar processed in the central-south region in the second half of September this year was down by 24.2% to 31.81 million metric tons, compared to the first half of the month, and lower by 13.73% for the same period in 2011. (October 9, 2012)