Latin America Caribbean key ethanol suppliers

Latin America Caribbean key ethanol suppliers Latin America and the Caribbean are emerging as important suppliers for the U.S. ethanol market, in spite of stiff tariffs imposed on ethanol imports, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission.
   The ITC said U.S. ethanol imports quadrupled in 2006 to 616 million gallons. Brazil was the leading source of ethanol imports, followed by Jamaica.
   There are ethanol programs under development in several other Latin American countries, according to a report from the Inter-American Development Bank. Investors have underwritten more than 100 new ethanol distilleries in Central America and South America.
   The United States imposes a 54-cent-per-gallon tariff on ethanol imports, but demand is still surpassing the U.S. domestic supply.