IN SHORT: Brazil's northeast churns out record cane crop

Boosted by plentiful rain, Brazil's north-east is reaping a record sugarcane crop, while output declines in the main center-south region, industry officials and analysts said. The use of new more robust cane varieties and an expansion of irrigated areas also contributed to the increase in cane output, which could top 67 million tonnes, up from last season's 63 million tonnes, they said.
It rained 1,500 millimeters from September 2010 though August 2011 over Brazil's north an north-east cane producing areas, above the normal range of 1,100-1,200 mm, Borges said during an event at Brazil Sugar Week.