Brazil, the world's biggest ethanol exporter, boosted shipments of the alternative fuel 91 percent last month on surging demand from the U.S.

Brazilian ethanol exports rose to 545 million liters (144 million gallons) last month, from 286 million liters a year earlier, the Trade Ministry said on its Web site.

Exports of raw and refined sugar from Brazil, the world's biggest producer, rose 66 percent last month to 2.29 million metric tons.

Soybean exports dropped 6 percent from a year earlier to 1.68 million tons, the ministry said. Orange juice shipments rose 22 percent to 129,100 tons.

Brazil is the second-biggest soybean producer, trailing only the U.S., and the biggest producer and exporter of orange juice.