The Sugarcane Industry Union (UNICA), the Sugarcane Technology Center (CTC), the TempoCampo System linked to ESALQ / USP and the Integrated Laboratory for Data Analysis in Agribusiness and Bioenergy (LINEAR) have just launched the Cana Zoom joint report. The document, which is published on a monthly basis, provides a summary of harvest conditions and agroclimatic monitoring in the sugarcane-producing region in the Center-South of the country. The indicators incorporate a detailed analysis of the main agronomic and climatic variables that impact the operation and availability of raw materials.

“The sugar-energy sector is strategic for Brazil in terms of the full supply of ethanol and sugar and has commitments to several countries for the delivery of contracts, therefore, being clear about the effects of the climate on the development of the plant and the progress of the harvest is essential for ensure certain predictability. Cana Zoom condenses essential information for the producers' planning ”, evaluates Antonio de Padua Rodrigues, technical director of UNICA.

To this end, Cana Zoom gathers the main specialists and research centers in each theme to structure a comprehensive report on the conditions of the sugarcane harvest, with graphs and comparative tables. The data are presented in a condensed form from the Center-South region and by state, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraná. The material reiterates the entities' commitment to the publication of credible and complete information on the sugar-energy sector and will be available for consultation at Unicadata.com.br.

Data presented 

The first edition of Cana Zoom brings the indication that the dry climate of the first months of the 2020/2021 harvest favored the progress of the harvest. On the other hand, the lack of rain can reduce the productivity of sugarcane in the field. Below, some conclusions presented:

• The use of time in April and May was above the historical average, reaching 85% and 86%, respectively, in the Center-South average.

• This condition guaranteed the operationalization of the harvest, which advanced 12.3% in relation to the previous cycle (the crushing accumulated in the 2020/2021 harvest until the end of the 2nd half of May totaled 144.88 million tons).

• As a result of the drier climate and the higher speed of the grinding, the area harvested until May of this year presented an increase of 11% in comparison with the 2019/2020 harvest, reaching 1.71 million hectares in the Center-South.

• The best use of time is related to the dry climate observed since the beginning of this harvest until the end of May. In April, the rainfall rate was 42 mm (55% below the historical average). In May, the index reached 44 mm (41% below the historical average). São Paulo was the state most affected by the drought.

• This climatic condition stimulated the concentration of sugars in the plant. In the 2020/2021 harvest, the Total Recoverable Sugar (ATR) concentration index per ton of sugarcane in the Center-South region reached 126.6, compared to 118.6 observed in the last cycle, a growth of 6.7 %.

• The drier climate, however, reduced the expected productivity of sugarcane harvested in the coming months.