Brazilian Sugar Plantations
Great fields of sugar cane dot the Brazilian landscape. These plantations represent billions of dollars of future sugar and sugar ethanol, and a large portion of Brazil’s export economy, not to mention around 40% of the world’s sugar supply. 
Sugar plantations are not just a modern economic triumph for Brazil, in many cases they are also historical artifacts. Sugar plantations have existed in Brazil for almost 500 years, with the first sugar cane recorded as being planted in Brazil in 1516, and the first commercial sugar operation being started in 1550 in the state of Pernambuco where mills were built by the Portugese to process the sugar cane into sugar. Sugar exports began not long after the establishment of these sugar mills, and Brazil’s first major export market was Amsterdam. The Pernambuco region underwent a series of significant political changes over the years as the Portugese who had established the mills were ousted by the Dutch, who used slaves from equatorial Africa to work the fields and mills.
Much has changed since those early times. Modern sugar plantations in Brazil are, on the whole, leased or owned by the sugar mills. Unlike other countries, such as Thailand, where sugar plantations are privately owned by farmers who sell sugar cane to the mills and refineries, Brazilian plantations are normally owned by the mill that will be processing the cane. This cuts out uncesssary middlemen, and also puts the processes of sugar cane planting, growing, and harvesting under the control of the sugar mill. Brazil’s sugar mills and refineries place great importance on optimizing all aspects of sugar production, from the moment that the sett (the small piece of cane from which new cane grows) is planted in the ground, to the moment that the refined or processed sugar leaves the factory.
Brazilian sugar plantations have a rather brutal history marred by slavery, but modern Brazilian sugar plantations are staffed by seasonal workers who receive good wages and extra benefits such as hearty meals during working hours, and even accomodation in some cases. This is partially due to a more humanitarian approach to workers, and partially due to economics and efficiency. Well fed, well rested, healthy workers do much better than starving, sick workers who can cost a company time and money during the important harvesting season.
Location Of Sugar Plantations in Brazil
Most of Brazil’s sugar plantations are located in the Sao Paulo region. It is estimated that over 60% of Brazil’s sugar plantations are located here. The remainder of Brazil’s sugar plantations are located in the northern states of Penambuco and Algolas. The terrain in this region is less suitable for growing sugar cane, and the reason for the prevalence of sugar cane plantations in this region is largely historical. The northern states of Brazil were the original locations of the first Brazilian sugar cane plantations and sugar mills. It was only after Brazilians realised how profitable sugar was that sugar cane production began to migrate down to the large flat expanses of central Brazil, taking over from citrus and coffee growing enterprises.
Environmental Impact Of Sugar Plantations
As the sugar industry booms, and demand for not just sugar, but sugar ethanol increases, more mills and plantations are being built. However, in the Sao Paulo region, government officials have ceased to issue any new permits for sugar mills effective May 2006 pending environmental impact reports due to fears that the large scale growing and processing of sugar could harm the environment.
Perhaps the primary source of pollution from sugar cane plantations, soot, ash and chemical emissions are released into the atmosphere when the cane is burned. This takes place prior to being harvesting, when many mills order the sugar cane to be burned to remove the large leaves. Removing the leaves makes harvesting easier, and makes the harvesting process much safer for the workers as well. Snakes and other such animals are known to hide behind the leaves, and workers having their vision obscured by masses of leaves also leads to a rise in accidents, usually the result of people inadvertently cutting themselves or others.
Run off into rivers is also a concern for Brazilian environmentalists. Small amounts of fertilizer and insectisides from sugar cane plantations can occasionally run off into rivers and water supplies, especially when plantations are located too close to rivers.
There is also concern that as sugar plantations expand, other agricultural activities will be pushed into forested areas. This is a relatively minor concern however, as Brazil has vast tracts of cultivatable land available for use.
Growing Sugar Cane
The actual process of growing sugar cane is a relatively slow one. Sugar cane takes at least one year to grow, and sometimes may be left for as long as sixteen to eighteen months before being harvested.
The process begins with planting. Before any sugar cane is planted, the field in which it will grow is normally left to lay bare for a few weeks. This allows the soil to regenerate and regain a measure of the fertility lost during the previous growing stages. This is important, as sugar cane requires good quality soul with at least medium fertility in order to grow well. Sugar cane is planted in ’setts’, which are pieces of mature sugar cane which have been cut into small lengths around fifteen centimeters long.
When the soil is ready for planting, the field is tilled to aerate the soil and create a furrow for the setts, and the setts are then dropped into the furrows, covered with fertilizer and soil, and left to grow. Whether this is carried out by hand or machine depends on the plantation. Once planted, these setts sprout within a few weeks, growing new sugar cane plants from their buds.
Sugar cane may then take anywhere from 12 months to 18 months to grow depending on the strain of sugar cane and growing conditions. When it comes time to harvest the cane, which in the Sao Paulo region is usually between May and November, the field may be burned in order to remove the excess leaves and other useless biological matter, or it may be left untouched for workers to navigate their way through.
Investing In Sugar Cane Plantations In Brazil
Many international corporate entities are now becoming increasingly interested in investing in Brazilian sugar cane plantations. In spite of world sugar prices dipping, demand for sugar ethanol is increasing, and most mills have the capacity to produce both sugar and sugar ethanol. Though permits for new mills have been temporarily withdrawn in the Sao Paulo region, it is still possible to gain permission for new mills and sugar cane plantations in the Algolas and Pernambuco regions in the north. As world demand for sugar grows steadily, and demand for sugar ethanol grows exponentially, investing in sugar cane plantations and the associated mills and refineries makes good sense for any company seeking entrance to the lucrative bio-fuel trade.
As Brazil’s sugar plantations approach their 500th birthday, it seems that they have a prosperous future to look forward to as sugar cane becomes an ever more popular, and ever more important crop of global significance.
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