Aug 04, 2025
In 2024/25, 12.5 mt of Corn Used to Make Ethanol in Mato Grosso
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Brazilian corn-derived biofuel grew from 520 million liters in 2017 to 4.5 billion liters in 2022, an increase of 800% in five years. Brazilian corn ethanol production is expected to reach 10 billion liters by 2030 and can represent up to 40% of the national ethanol market. Brazil ranks second in ethanol production behind the United States which produced 16.1 billion gallons in 2024 while Brazil produced 8.78 billion gallons during the same year.
The expansion of corn ethanol production in Brazil is directly linked to the advancement of the genetic improvement of corn. The search for more efficient hybrids has been strategic to meet the industry demand. The adoption of hybrids adapted to the Cerado, the main corn producing region, with a greater tolerance to water and thermal extremes has allowed cultivation in areas previously considered to be less suited to the crop.
Data from the National Union of Corn Ethanol (UNEM) indicates a regional concentration of corn ethanol production with the state of Mato Grosso leading production. In 2014/15, there were 0.23 million tons of corn used to produce ethanol in the state. That increased to 12.5 million tons in 2024/25.