The Brazilian Sugarcane and Bioenergy Industry Association (UNICA) participated on April 14 and 15, in partnership with ApexBrasil and as part of the Sugarcane Ethanol Project, in the Africa Sugar Conference. The event provided an important platform for advancing discussions on production resilience and sustainable growth within the global sugar industry.
Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the sector and explore innovative, sustainable solutions for a fair and clean energy transition at the booth organized by UNICA which featured informative and engaging visual materials.
On April 15, Eduardo Leão de Souza, UNICA’s Director for Strategic Development and New Markets, delivered a presentation highlighting Brazil’s decades of experience in ethanol production and its diversified portfolio of bioenergy solutions.
“We are talking about a continent with 55 countries, 1.4 billion inhabitants and with an average annual growth rate of 3%. In addition to the discussion about sugar production, we are also discussing ways to diversify this production. Among these products is ethanol”, highlighted Mr. Leão de Sousa.
Amid renewed volatility in global oil markets—reminiscent of the shocks experienced during the 1970s oil crisis—the importance of energy diversification has once again come into sharp focus. One key lesson stands out: diversified energy systems are essential for building more resilient and sustainable food production chains.
Brazil offers a proven and scalable model. By replacing nearly 50% of its gasoline consumption with ethanol, the country has strengthened energy security, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and contributed to stabilizing sugar markets. This experience provides valuable insights for countries seeking to align agricultural production with clean energy solutions.
Through dialogue and cooperation at international forums such as the Africa Sugar Conference, Brazil continues to reinforce its commitment to supporting sustainable development and driving innovation in the global sugar and bioenergy sectors.
