Deregulation of the Sugar and Alcohol Sector

ABSTRACT The objective of this article is to determine the most important actors and decisions arenas involved in the deregulation of the Brazilian sugar and alcohol sector, using concepts of Political Economy. The deregulation was conducted by actors from both Southeastern and Northeastern production regions (such as sugar cane farmers’ associations, sugar and alcohol producers’ unions and associations and workers’ unions) and by politicians from several sugarcane production regions, whose conflicting interests influenced the decision makers. CIMA was the main decision arena. The main actors determining public policies for the sector are the congressmen and the State and Municipal governments.