Brazil Sugar

Brazil is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of sugar, with a long history of sugar production dating back to the 16th century. Today, Brazil is responsible for more than 20% of the world's sugar production, with the vast majority of this sugar being exported to other countries.

Process flow from cultivation to exports in the Brazilian sugar industry.

Cultivation: Sugar production in Brazil begins with the cultivation of sugarcane, a tall perennial grass that thrives in the country's tropical climate. Sugarcane is typically grown on large plantations, which are often family-owned and operated. The cultivation process includes planting, irrigating, fertilizing, and harvesting the sugarcane.

Harvesting: Sugarcane is harvested once it reaches maturity, usually between 12 and 18 months after planting. Harvesting is typically done by hand or with machines that cut the stalks close to the ground. The harvested sugarcane is then transported to a processing plant.

Processing: At the processing plant, the sugarcane is crushed to extract the juice, which is then purified and concentrated. The juice is first filtered to remove any impurities, and then heated to evaporate the water and concentrate the sugar. The resulting syrup is boiled to form crystals, which are separated from the remaining liquid. This liquid, known as molasses, can be further processed to produce other products, such as ethanol.

Packaging and Distribution: Once the sugar has been processed, it is typically packaged in bags or containers for distribution. Brazilian sugar is exported to a wide range of countries around the world, with the majority of exports going to the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Sugar exports are often shipped from major ports such as Santos or Paranagua.