Biofuels from Brazil
Brazil is the second largest producer and consumer of ethanol in the world after the United States. According to the ANP, in 2013, Brazil produced 479,000 bbl/d of ethanol, an 18% increase from the previous year. The government raised the ethanol blend requirement in gasoline back up to 25% in May 2013. It is now considering an increase to 27.5% as a measure to reduce gasoline imports.
In 2013, Brazil exported 50,000 bbl/d of ethanol, 81% of which was shipped to the United States, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Japan. The United States imported 30,000 bbl/d of ethanol from Brazil in 2013 and 35,000 bbl/d in 2012, a significant increase from 12,000 bbl/d in 2011, as U.S. policy in 2012 lifted domestic tariffs on Brazilian sugarcane. Brazil also produces biodiesel but at smaller quantities. In 2013, the country produced 50,000 bbl/d of biodiesel. More than 80% of production was concentrated in the south central region of the country.
