BRAZIL'S ETHANOL CORPORATIONS TO RAMP UP INVESTMENT

摘要

Despite the serious shortage of cane, which means mills have up to 150 mln tonnes spare crushing capacity in 2011/12 (Apr/Mar), virtually all of the leading companies are planning major investments, as the "top 15" list demonstrates. As estimates for the 2011/12 cane crop continue to be revised down, and with little hope of much more cane being available in the next few years, the outlook for the short term is gloomy. But despite the problems, most of the leading companies in the industry are planning to invest massively in planting more cane and to step up the renewal rate in the next few years as well as to add new capacity at existing mills. The government too seems to have realised that it must play a part, if problems are to be solved. Tax cuts are planned, and finance for those planning to plant more cane will be available.