Brazil: fertiliser imports

Brazil stands out as one of the foremost purchasing markets for finished fertilisers globally, notably among countries whose supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, alongside the United States, Australia and Thailand^[1]. This position stems from export-oriented intensive agriculture, which generates nutrient requirements exceeding domestic production capacity. Brazilian consumption patterns differ markedly from other major agricultural regions: nitrogen accounts for a smaller share, whilst phosphorus and potassium inputs predominate owing to the demands of soybean cultivation and local soil characteristics^[2][3].

Nutrient consumption structure

According to IFA data for 2020, Brazil consumes 5.7 Mt of nitrogen (N), 7.9 Mt of phosphorus (P₂O₅) and 7.1 Mt of potassium (K₂O)^[2]. This configuration, where phosphorus exceeds nitrogen, contrasts with the profiles of China (24.8 Mt of N, 11.0 Mt of P₂O₅, 8.9 Mt of K₂O) or India (20.2 Mt of N, 10.3 Mt of P₂O₅, 3.2 Mt of K₂O), where nitrogen constitutes the dominant nutrient^[2][4]. The explanation lies in the significance of soybean within the Brazilian production system, a crop particularly demanding in phosphorus and potassium^[2][4].

Breakdown of nitrogen products

In the nitrogen segment, the range of products used in Brazil displays pronounced particularities. Urea accounts for 56% of nitrogen application, followed by ammonium sulphate at 15%, NPK fertilisers at 9%, nitrates at 8% and ammonium phosphates at 2%^[3]. Ammonia and UAN solutions remain absent there, unlike in North American and European markets^[3]. Ammonium sulphate, though in overall decline, retains a meaningful position in this country thanks to its sulphur content and high water solubility, qualities valued for tropical soils^[3]. An earlier 2020 estimate assessed ammonium sulphate's share at 12% of nitrogen application, urea at 57%, nitrates at 13% and ammonium phosphates at 13%^[5], indicating a degree of structural stability despite shifting proportions.

Vulnerability to supply disruptions

Brazil's import dependence renders it especially exposed to disruptions in international logistics chains. The Strait of Hormuz constitutes a strategic maritime passage for fertiliser and raw material flows; finished fertiliser importing countries such as Brazil, Australia, the United States and Thailand rank among those whose supplies would be affected in the event of prolonged blockage^[1]. IFA forward-looking scenarios highlight that several application seasons could be impacted depending on the intensity and duration of disturbances^[6]. Brazil appears among regions with supply requirements to be covered ahead of spreading windows, alongside Europe, the United States and South-East Asia^[6]. This structural exposure reinforces the Brazilian market's interest in securing commercial flows and diversifying supply sources.

Positioning in world trade

The trade flows supplying the Brazilian market form part of a global network where the country emerges as a favoured destination for finished fertiliser exports, notably from the Middle East^[1]. This configuration resembles that of other major importers of manufactured products such as Australia, the United States or Thailand, whilst other countries like Morocco, Indonesia or China import more raw sulphur via the same maritime route^[1]. The complementarity between production zones and consumption zones thus structures trade, with Brazil compensating through imports for the shortfall in its mineral resources and industrial capacity to meet domestic agricultural demand.