Brazil Approves VerdPRO2 GM Sugarcane to Curb Borer Damage and Boost Yields
Brazil’s biosafety commission CTNBio has approved a new genetically modified (GM) sugarcane variety designed to help farmers combat the destructive cane borer insect and improve weed management.
The variety, named VerdPRO2, was developed by the Cane Technology Centre (CTC).
According to CTC, VerdPRO2 is a next-generation GM cane that is expected to increase overall field yield by helping the plant gain weight and raise its sugar content. Beyond productivity benefits, the variety also addresses one of the most persistent threats to Brazilian cane cultivation.
The sugarcane borer is a widespread pest in Brazil’s cane fields, and CTC estimates the insect causes losses of approximately 8 billion reais – equivalent to around $1.63 billion – per crop. The new variety has been developed with built-in resistance to the pest, alongside improved capacity for weed control, offering growers a dual-purpose agronomic tool.
CTC said it plans to make VerdPRO2 available for commercial planting as soon as the necessary legal regulations are finalised following the biosafety approval. The company indicated that the introduction could take place within the current 2026/27 crushing season, which commenced in April.
Brazil is the world’s largest sugarcane producer and a dominant global supplier of both sugar and ethanol, making regulatory developments in its cane variety pipeline closely watched by industry participants worldwide.
