Sep 16, 2024
Fires in Sao Paulo State Cost Sugarcane Producers R$ 1.2 Billion
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
In the state of Sao Paulo, at least 181,000 hectares of sugarcane were impacted by fires between August 23rd and September 10th according to the Sugarcane Producers Association of Brazil (Orplana). The areas burnt include unharvested sugarcane as well as sugarcane that had already started to regrow. Sao Paulo is Brazil's largest sugarcane producing state.
Losses are estimated at R$ 1.2 billion which includes the lower quality of the burnt sugarcane that must be harvested within two days of the fire and the sugarcane that had already started to regrow. Sugarcane that had been regrowing for 3 or 4 months when the fire struck will probably have to be replanted at a cost of about R$ 1,500 per hectare.
In addition to the lost sugarcane, there is collateral damage from the fires to the soil fertility, soil moisture, and weed control. The lost residue means there will be less nutrients and organic matter in the soil. The lack of residue will allow a more rapid depletion of soil moisture and potentially more weeds. Additionally, the fires impacted the regrowth of the sugarcane which could reduce next year's harvest as well.