Minister of Agriculture highlights the importance of corn ethanol in Brazil's energy matrix

Last Thursday (3), the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, participated in the 2nd Unem Datagro International Conference on Corn Ethanol. The event brought together industry leaders, producers, investors and authorities to discuss the increasingly important role of corn ethanol in Brazil's energy matrix.

On the occasion, Fávaro highlighted the importance of the meeting for strengthening biofuels in the country. “This is an extremely important event, not only to recognize the importance of biofuels, especially ethanol, but also to discuss solutions that guarantee efficiency and competitiveness to the sector,” said the minister.

This is an extremely important event, not only to recognize the importance of biofuels, especially ethanol, but also to discuss solutions that ensure efficiency and competitiveness for the sector. – Minister Carlos Fávaro

He also highlighted the efforts of the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the support of the National Congress in approving the Fuel of the Future Law, which establishes guidelines for increasing the use of biofuels in the national energy matrix. “The production of food and sustainable energy are complementary activities,” he highlighted.

During the event, Fávaro highlighted the positive impact of biofuels. “In the case of ethanol, in the first half of the year, we have a blend of 30% of Brazilian ethanol. Brazil is showing the world that it has renewable energy sources, while at the same time increasing food production, reducing costs, controlling fuel inflation and setting an example of sustainability,” he pointed out.

The minister also addressed the evolution of the biodiesel blend with diesel, highlighting the advances in the national energy policy. “The Lula government corrected setbacks that were occurring in the sector. Biodiesel, which should have been at B15, had regressed to B10. We have already returned to B14 and will soon reach B15, further boosting this production chain.”

Plínio Nastari, president of Datagro, also reinforced the importance of corn industrialization for the agricultural sector. “Corn industrialization, which generates not only ethanol, but also DDG and oil, strengthens livestock farming and boosts exports of beef, pork and poultry from Brazil.”

Guilherme Nolasco, executive president of Unem, highlighted the expansion of corn ethanol production in recent years: “Ten years ago, the sector produced 80 million liters in Mato Grosso. This harvest, we closed with 8 billion liters, a six-fold increase in the last decade.”

Fávaro also highlighted the growth of Brazilian agricultural exports, especially in Mato Grosso. “In the last two years, the state’s exports grew by 43%. This is a natural record.”

During his speech, he spoke about the progress made in opening new markets for Brazilian agricultural products. “In the last two years, we have conquered 345 new international markets. Last week, we took a significant step towards opening the beef market to Vietnam, a result of our efficient diplomacy and the health guarantees that Brazil offers,” he said.

Another topic addressed by Fávaro was the Harvest Plan, with an emphasis on support for medium-sized producers. “Our challenge is to reach the levels required for the sector, but we are developing alternatives to help producers. We will pay special attention to Pronamp, with a model similar to Pronaf, which serves family farming. We want to encourage medium-sized producers to ensure food supply, with subsidized interest rates,” he explained. The minister assured that the government intends to surpass previous records. “By order of President Lula, we are working to make this, once again, the largest Harvest Plan in the history of Brazil.”