Resumo:

Feedstocks are a crucial element in the production of biofuel for aviation, affecting directly the final cost and environmental impacts. Nevertheless, the Brazilian conditions are particularly attractive for agricultural products in general, and among them, bioenergy. In fact, the variety of options is a challenge, more than the lack of alternatives to explore.Brazil is a traditional agricultural goods producer and is among the world’s leading producers and exporters of many agricultural products such as soybean, sugarcane, coffee, cotton, maize, tropical fruits, meats, etc. This relevant position was attained not only because of abundant land and good climate conditions, but also due to long-term investment in research and development and an entrepreneurial private sector. Thus, Brazil shows currently a favorable combination of availability of land for agriculture not occupied with native vegetation, notably pastures, with a dynamic agriculture sector presenting steady productivity growth, large amount of law protected native vegetation, strong conservation laws based on “control-command” enforcement and human health and safety regulations for rural activities equivalent to urban activities. This remarkable combination places the country, from a feedstock supply perspective, in a good position of developing an aviation biofuel program with compliance with responsibility principles and sustainability requirements.