Dynamics of the sugarcane-energy complex and land structure in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, between 1996 and 2017

• Baccarin, José Giacomo ^[1]
  1. [1] The Graduate Program in Geography, Rio Claro (SP), and College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences in Jaboticabal (SP) at UNESP, Brazil
• Localización: Land use policy: The International Journal Covering All Aspects of Land Use, ISSN 0264-8377, ISSN-e 1873-5754, Nº. 159, 2025
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This study analyzes the effects of the expansion of sugarcane and energy production on the distribution of ownership/exploitation and property of agricultural land in the State of São Paulo, between 1996 and 2017. Data on land ownership by agricultural establishments were obtained from the IBGE agricultural censuses while property ownership was sourced from the INCRA rural property registry. A literature review allowed us to identify several reasons for the concentration of land ownership in both global and Brazilian agriculture. The study also addresses specific issues within the studied sector that impacts land distribution. Stimulated by market conditions and public actions, the expansion of the sugarcane area was continuous during the analyzed period. Given the strong vertical integration between sugarcane-energy production and sugarcane crops, the increase in cultivated area compared to other crops and pasture, contributed to greater land concentration. Additionally, the deepening of sugarcane mechanization further concentrated land ownership by excluding less dynamic or smaller agro-industrial and agricultural companies. The historically high concentration of land ownership in São Paulo was reinforced after 1996, primarily through land leasing rather than land purchase. As a result, the distribution of rural property remained relatively unchanged. A significant social pact developed between large sugarcane companies and small rural landowners, who transiotioned from farming to urban activities. The income resulting from urban endeavors was then supplemented by leasing their rural assets.