Brazil seeks Moroccan fertilizers amid global shortage

Brazil's government is intensifying efforts to secure vital fertilizer supplies from Morocco, Russia, and China, seeking emergency understandings to prevent disruptions to its crucial agricultural sector. The presidency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are actively working to establish communication channels for these agreements.

The agricultural sector is experiencing a critical shortage of phosphate fertilizers and essential raw materials needed for upcoming planting seasons. This scarcity is attributed to global geopolitical instability and export restrictions imposed by some nations to protect their domestic markets. Brazil relies heavily on imports, sourcing between 85% and 90% of its fertilizer needs, which leaves it highly vulnerable to international supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations.

Official figures show Brazil imported a record 45.5 million tons of fertilizers last year, a 2.68% increase from the previous year. Despite this volume, production costs for farmers remain high and subject to international market volatility. Key ports like Paranaguá and Santos, along with ports in the Northern Arc region, are major entry points for these imports.

Specialized Brazilian reports highlight that fertilizers significantly impact agricultural production costs. Factors such as exchange rates, international shipping, domestic logistics, agricultural credit, and purchasing timing all influence the final price paid by producers. Studies indicate that farmers who delayed fertilizer purchases between January and April, opting for May and June, faced sharp cost increases, sometimes exceeding 18%, especially when coinciding with high market prices.