According to data published by the National Supply Company of Brazil (CONAB) in its logistics report, Brazil’s fertilizer imports reached a record during the month of February/January.
The volume of imports was 2.77 million tons, compared to 2.41 million tons in the same month of 2023. This represents an increase in imports of 15%.
The national supply company reports that this increase occurred due to adverse climate changes that led to postponing the purchase of fertilizers and raw materials that were supposed to be acquired in 2023, such as those necessary for planting second-grade soybeans and corn. harvest, until early this year. The volume of imports is the highest in the last five years.
The national supply company reports that expectations for the 2023-2024 period represent great challenges due to the decrease in the grain production cycle caused by various climatic events in Brazil.
Drought and rising temperatures prevail in the Midwest region, accompanied by heavy rains in the south, which has affected the cultivation and development of crops related to the harvest or the second national crop.
The purchase of raw materials, along with phosphates and potassium, which have experienced large volumes and attractive prices that usually occur during this period, has had an impact on production in the first month of the year.
The national supply company also points out that forecasts from the National Fertilizer Agency ANDA indicate an increase in stocks of imported fertilizers in Brazil from 2023 to 2024.
According to the national supply company, one million tons of imported fertilizers reached the Brazilian market last month through the port of Paranaguá in the state of Paraná, 0.31 million tons through the port of Arco Norte in the northern region of Brazil , and 0.8 million tons through the port of Santos on the coast of the state of São Paulo.
Both the ports of Paranaguá and Santos experienced an increase in import volume, while the port of Arco Norte experienced a decrease.
