Brazil seeks emergency fertilizer supply from Russia, China and Morocco

Brazil’s federal government has activated a crisis committee under the presidential chief of staff’s office to secure raw materials used in phosphate fertilizer production for the 2026/27 crop season.

Brazilian diplomats have opened talks with Russia, China and Morocco, the country’s main fertilizer suppliers, in an effort to ensure supply even at market prices.

The concern reflects Brazil’s heavy dependence on imported fertilizers, a vulnerability made more acute by geopolitical tensions and difficulties in the global fertilizer market.

In 2025, Brazil imported 45.5 million tonnes of fertilizers, out of total consumption of 49.1 million tonnes. Imports totaled US$14.5 billion and covered 92% of domestic demand. In 2024, that dependence reached 97%.

According to estimates from the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock, CNA, only 40% to 45% of the fertilizers needed for the next crop season have already been purchased.

Brazil’s fertilizer raw materials industry group, Sinprifert, and the National Fertilizer Association, Anda, have warned the government about shortages of phosphate fertilizers and key inputs such as sulfur and sulfuric acid. Brazil imports nearly all the sulfur it consumes, and supply difficulties have already led some processing plants to reduce or halt operations.

In the international talks, the government is assessing suppliers’ available capacity and considering memorandums of understanding to secure shipments in emergency situations.

Main suppliers

Russia still has production capacity, although some plants have been affected by the war.

Morocco can supply the market, but a plan to keep strategic fertilizer stocks in Brazil depends on an environmental license that has not yet been granted.

China is discussing tariff issues with Brazil. Specialists see an agreement with Beijing as the most promising alternative.

Bruno Fonseca, of Rabobank, said fertilizer demand is expected to rise because of the prospect of a stronger El Niño, while financial difficulties among farmers may limit purchases.

Structural dependence

CNA says Brazil’s dependence on imported fertilizers reflects the stagnation of domestic production as demand continues to grow.

Between 2015 and 2025, fertilizer deliveries in Brazil increased 63%, while imports rose 130%. Domestic production remained almost flat, ranging from 7.2 million to 9.1 million tonnes.

In 2025, Brazil’s five largest suppliers were China, Russia, Canada, Morocco and Egypt, which together accounted for 69% of imports.

By nutrient, Brazil’s import dependence is especially high for potash, at 98%; nitrogen, at 93%; and phosphorus, at 57%.

Potash is considered the country’s largest point of vulnerability because it combines high import dependence with heavy consumption.

Domestic production faces setbacks

Brazil has phosphate rock reserves in Minas Gerais and Goiás and, in 2024, inaugurated EuroChem’s Serra do Salitre mining and industrial complex, which has capacity to produce 1 million tonnes of phosphate fertilizers per year.

Even so, the sector was hit hard in 2026.

Mosaic permanently shut down operations in Araxá and Patrocínio and temporarily suspended activities in Tapira and Catalão because of the global sulfur crisis, after sulfur prices rose by more than 1,100%.

According to CNA, the surge in sulfur prices mainly reflects a supply-demand imbalance, logistics problems, lower production from major suppliers and rising demand from the electric vehicle battery sector and Asian industry.

Proposals

CNA is calling for measures to reduce Brazil’s reliance on imported fertilizers. Its proposals include approval of the Profert bill, strengthening Confert with a target of raising domestic production to meet 50% of demand by 2030, new financing lines for fertilizer storage, incentives for bioinputs and expanded research into biological nitrogen fixation.

For the confederation, securing fertilizer supply has become a strategic issue for the competitiveness of Brazilian agribusiness and for the country’s food security.

Source: Valor Econômico

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