Abstract Mechanisation of sugarcane harvesting is growing rapidly in Southern Brazil where nearly 80% of Brazil’s crop is cultivated. Currently a maximum of 20% of the cane is mechanically harvested and the proportion is expected to rise to about 50% by 2005. However, most of the cane is burned prior to harvesting and less than 2% is harvested green. Issues such as topography, crop cultivation and management methods, labour costs, machine performance, environmental legislation and markets for sugarcane residues will influence the increase in mechanical harvesting of burned or green cane. This paper discusses the prospects for green cane harvesting technology, with emphasis on Southern Brazil, and compares harvesting technologies which are being commercialised today. The paper also addresses the recovery of cane residues (dry and green tops and leaves) and comments on their possible use and commercialisation, particularly for electricity generation.