Brazil ethanol prices keep rising on rainfalls

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Ethanol prices rose because of rainfall in several producing regions of Brazil, which disrupted sugarcane harvesting, research group CEPEA said on Tuesday.

CEPEA assessed average hydrous ethanol prices for the week of 27-27 May at Brazilian reais (R)1.477/litre ($1.55/gal), up by 4.6% from the previous week, it said. In the last week of April, the price was R1.3369 /litre, CEPEA said.

Anhydrous ethanol prices reached an average of R1.618 /litre, up 3.1% week on week, CEPEA said.

The sugarcane harvest in the centre-south, which accounts for 90% of Brazil’s ethanol production, runs from April to November/December.

Brazil also produces ethanol in the northeast region of the country. The sugarcane harvest in that area runs from September to March.

The price does not include taxes or freight, according to the research group.

($1 = R3.61)