Brazil Seeks to Reduce Fertilizer Imports, Increase Sustainability

Strategic Insights -

Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock aims to reduce the country's reliance on foreign fertilizer imports by 85%, which currently stands at $25 billion annually. The initiative, led by President Lula and Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services Geraldo Alckmin, focuses on investing in research and technology to increase competitiveness. Brazil, the fourth-largest agricultural producer in the world, imports over 440% more fertilizers than in 1998-2001, with 90% of the sector's industry technologies also coming from abroad.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Brazilian Congress of Fertilizers, attended by Minister Carlos Favaro, highlighted the importance of inputs for sustainable food production.
  • President Lula recreated the National Council of Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition (Confert) in May, which aims to reduce dependence on fertilizer imports and increase competitiveness.
  • Confert president Geraldo Alckmin emphasized the need to reverse the situation with investment in research and technology, citing a 440% increase in fertilizer imports between 1998 and 2001.
  • Brazil imports over $25 billion worth of fertilizers annually, with 85% of the fertilizers used in Brazilian production coming from foreign origin.
  • The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has created a working group to implement the Center of Excellence in Fertilizers under Embrapa's coordination, with a research network of more than 50 technologies in fertilizers and inputs for animal nutrition.
  • A unified information system is being developed to reduce bureaucracy in licensing and registration processes, from mineral research to fertilizer distribution.
  • Brazil aims to increase agricultural production area by 140% by incorporating 40 million hectares of low productivity pastures in the next 10 years, preserving and conserving the environment.

Statistics:

  • Brazil is the fourth-largest agricultural producer in the world ([1]).
  • The country imports over 85% of the fertilizers used in Brazilian production ([1]).
  • Fertilizer imports increased by 440% between 1998 and 2001 ([2]).
  • Brazil imports over $25 billion worth of fertilizers annually ([3]).
  • 90% of the technologies used in the sector's industry come from abroad ([1]).

Sources:

[1] Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, "Brasilia: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has issued the following news release:", Press Release, 29.

[2] Confert President Geraldo Alckmin, "Between 1998 and 2001, to give you an idea, there was a 440% increase in fertilizer imports", cited in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock press release, 29.

[3] Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, "External dependence in this area costs US$ 25 billion per year", Press Release, 29.