*Brazil’s sugar cane industry association (Unica) has released its production figures for the second half of December 2023, registering 235,760 tonnes (t) of sugar cane, which marks an increase of 35.6% compared to the second half of December 2022. The accumulated sugar production figure from April-December came to 42m t, up 25.4% compared to the same period in 2022. In the second half of December, 526.1m litres of ethanol were produced by processing facilities in the central-south, Brazil’s main sugar cane belt. This marks an increase of 62.9% year-on-year, with hydrous ethanol production registering a significant yearly rise of 99.4% (353.8m litres produced). Anhydrous ethanol production came to 172.3m litres, marking an increase of 18.3% compared to the second half of December 2022.
- GUATEMALA: Arévalo takes office
- ECUADOR: Prison hostages released
- In brief: Venezuela’s year-end inflation lowest since 2015, says central bank
- BRAZIL: Deforestation drops in Amazon, rises in Cerrado
- In brief: Brazil’s sugar cane production up
- In brief: Nicaragua’s annual inflation edges down
- MEXICO: Concerns mount over electoral violence
- In brief: López Obrador forecasts strong 2024 growth
- ARGENTINA: Mapuche leader arrested
- In brief: Paraguay’s exports up in 2023
- US defence official visits Guyana amid Venezuela tensions