This research aimed to evaluate the performance of the external sector in the Brazilian sugar and ethanol industry from 1999 to 2007. Were used two indicators of international trade, the Openness Index (Oi) and External Sector Development Index (SXi). As a corollary, it was found that the degree of openness of trade, in the period, had intermediate levels. The sugar and ethanol industry had several years in high vulnerability, instead, the analysis showed that the industry is looking for a greater presence in international trade, considering that showed an increasing trend in trade volume.