Corn Production Driven by Rising Demand for Ethanol Manufacturing

Brazil's corn planted area is expected to rise nearly 11% from the last crop to almost 5 million hectares, with output projected to exceed 30 million tonnes, up nearly 9%. Conab's president said exports and domestic ethanol demand, which now absorbs about 20% of consumption, are driving the expansion, while a Goiás farmer said soybean costs have also pushed him toward corn.