This study analyzes, using the shift-share model, the process of crop replacemnt in the main sugar cane producer states in Brasil, from 2000 to 2010. The states of Alagoas, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Pernambuco and São Paulo were considered in the analysis. The results showed a significant expansion of the area cultivated with sugarcane and soybean in the states studied. This growth was based, partially, on the replacement of other produce, mainly rice, beans and maize, as well as coffee, cotton and orange. Despite this, the productivity gains contributed to reduce, or even overcome the effects of the area loss in the replaced produce. However, the agriculture of the states most affected by the increase in the share of canesugar and soybean become less diverse and, therefore, more exposed to potential crises in the market of these new produce.
sugarcane; shift-share; food production
