Colombian ethanol output to increase in 2009

Reuters reports that Colombian ethanol output is expected to increase to 2.42 million liters a day by the end of 2009 as new projects come onstream, Agriculture Minister Andres Fernandez Acosta said. Fernandez Acosta revealed that Colombia was seeking new investors to join projects to boost ethanol production capacity and create jobs. The minister also said six new projects this year would add 1.37 million liters a day of new production to the present level of 1.05 million liters a day. Fernandez Acosta said Colombia had the potential to grow sugarcane for biofuel production in an area of 3.9 million hectares