Brazil: Brazil Agriculture Seeks Remedies for Potential Fertilizer Disruptions

Brazil is a powerhouse agricultural producer, ranking among the top three global exporters for a host of commodities. To support its massive agribusiness sector, Brazil relies on imported inputs, including fertilizers. Annually, Brazil imports over 80 percent of its total fertilizer needs. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has substantially elevated the risk of disruption to the global fertilizer trade. In Brazil, there is rising concern that growers may not be able to expand the crop planted area in the 2022/23 season. Without critical nutrients such as potash, Brazil will also see lower crop yields. In recent months, Brazil has engaged in international diplomacy, striking deals with Iran and Russia to maintain fertilizer flows. To reduce the sector's dependence on imports, the government has also developed a National Fertilizer Plan, though the implementation is expected to take decades.