Brazilian alcohol: Food versus fuel?

Abstract

The creation of the ProAlcool (National Alcohol Programme) late in 1975 for the production of fuel alcohol has raised varied criticisms as to the possible consequences for food production in Brazil. This food ‘problem’ in Brazil is embedded in its socio-economic and political system. Agricultural production has kept ahead of population growth, but the main beneficiaries have been commodity export crops; the issue can be identified as ‘commodity export crop production versus crop production for the domestic market’ rather than ‘food versus fuel’. The possible effects of the ProAlcool on food production have been exaggerated and the real implications largely overlooked. The sugar and alcohol sector is today among Brazil's largest industries and, with all its faults, the ProAlcool remains the world's most successful biomass energy programme and as such its importance extends beyond Brazil's national boundaries. Biomass has been demonstrated by a Third World country to be a viable alternative or complement to oil on a national scale. Despite the current (1986) low oil prices an interministerial commission has recently recommended that the ProAlcool programme should be maintained.