Brazilian ethanol production is expected to total 31.35 billion liters in 2020, according to an estimate by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) office in São Paulo. The volume represents a 16% drop compared to 2019, when production totaled 37.38 billion liters. The expectation of lower production is due to the less alcoholic mix adopted by plants in Brazil because of the effects of the covid-19 pandemic, the USDA said.

Total ethanol consumption for use as fuel is estimated at 26.78 billion liters, down 18% from 2019. According to the USDA, measures of social distance and an economic slowdown associated with the pandemic are affecting demand for fuels.

Brazilian ethanol exports in 2020 are expected to total 1.9 billion liters, compared to 1.941 billion liters in 2019, the USDA said. Imports, on the other hand, are expected to increase from 1.457 billion to 1.5 billion liters.

Biodiesel production in 2020 was estimated at 6.27 billion liters, an increase of 6% over the previous year.