Local Farmer Flying To Sugarcane Giant Brazil To Bring Innovation Down Under

Australian sugar cane farmers will soon trade one tropical paradise for another as they explore first-hand the implications of Brazil being ranked number one and two in the world for sugarcane and ethanol production. 

Central region sugarcane farmer Paul Atkinson is embarking on the 10-day tour for a second time because he is interested in how Brazil’s harvest and mills operate.  

“Brazil is our main competition,” Mr Atkinson said, adding its use of sugar to produce ethanol affected world sugar prices and thus Australia’s own sugarcane industry. 

While sugar may be Australia’s second-largest export crop after wheat, with 3-4 million tonnes (MT) valued at $1.5 to $2.5 billion headed overseas each year, these figures are dwarfed by Brazil’s. 

The South American nation produces about half of the world’s total sugar exports at more than 32MT per year, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), surpassing Australia’s total sugarcane production. 

To put things further into perspective, for every tonne of sugarcane produced down under, Brazil produces about 22 tonnes, with about half of this sugar then being used to make ethanol thanks to the Brazilian government’s mandates on fuel mixes. 

Stephen Ryan, the CEO of Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) and Australian Cane Farmers Association (ACFA), said the Brazil tour would give Aussies opportunities to meet with Brazilian farmers, processors, researchers and more to learn about the dynamics of the agricultural giant’s sugar cane and bio-energy industries. 

“Brazil, as of 2023, had 350 operational sugarcane plants, of which almost two-thirds produced both sugar and ethanol and almost a third were just for ethanol, USDA figures show,” Mr Ryan said. 

“The country made 35.3 billion litres of ethanol in 2023-24, and the demand for biofuel is only likely to increase with the Brazilian government amping up incentives to also produce sustainable aviation fuel to curb the country’s CO2 emissions. 

“But Brazil will be motivated to lean towards non-sugar alternatives like corn to meet the demands for biofuel as current world market prices make exporting sugar more commercially attractive.” 

The Cane Tour to Brazil itinerary includes visiting Sao Paulo, where innovation drives sugarcane cultivation and processing. Sao Paulo is home to the headquarters of Brazil’s largest sugarcane improvement company, the Sugarcane Technology Centre (STC). 

The STC owns the largest germplasm bank in the world, is aiming to double Brazil’s average annual sugarcane yields from 75MT per hectare to 150MT per hectare by 2040 and is working to create a synthetic seed to scrap needing to use sugarcane cuttings for planting.

Other highlights of the tour, organised and led by Australian ex-pat Sally Thomson in collaboration with Nuffield Brazil Farming Network, include a trip to the world’s largest corn bioenergy plant, hearing from startups working on Brazil’s agribusiness problems, and an unforgettable down-day to relish Bonito’s pristine rivers and natural wonders.

The cost is $3440 per person, based on twin-share, which includes all domestic travel, accommodation, meals, and visits. 

The tour, kicking off in late March, is limited to 20 participants to ensure a quality experience for all. 

To register your interest, contact Shirley Norris by phoning 0447 608 158 or emailing farmers700plus@gmail.com.

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Sugarcane farmer and Australian Cane Farming Association (ACFA) member Paul Atkinson is travelling to Brazil for the second time to gain insights into the country’s agricultural sector, as it boasts being the number one and two in the world for sugarcane and ethanol production. Photo credit: Heidi Petith

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