Brazil Corn for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

A new study conducted by Agroicone in partnership with Iowa State University, University of the Republic (Uruguay), and Indiana University Indianapolis, and published in Agricultural Economics, highlights the potential of Brazil's second-crop Maize for Aviation biofuel (SAF) production. The research indicates that expanding Ethanol production from Brazil's second-crop Maize can support SAF growth while limiting land-use change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is primarily due to Brazil's double-cropping system, which allows for agricultural intensification rather than cropland expansion. The study suggests that Ethanol from second-crop Maize can achieve very low or even negative lifecycle GHG emissions, driven by factors like supply elasticity, existing cropland use, renewable energy in processing, and corn co-products. Luciane Chiodi Bachion, a co-author, emphasized the importance of incorporating Brazil's agricultural reality into economic models to accurately assess biofuel expansion impacts. The findings underscore the need for policies promoting sustainable agricultural intensification and preventing deforestation, positioning Brazil's second-crop Maize as a strategic feedstock for climate mitigation and global food security.