Fertilizers: Brazil continues to import from Russia

The National Association for the Diffusion of Fertilizers (ANDA), within the limits of its activities as a representative entity that is committed to correctly informing society, rural producers and the government about specific areas of attention and concern in the fertilizer sector, is publicly providing and sharing the following information:

• According to official data, Brazil imported 3,24 million tons of fertilizers last April. This represents 81,5% above the volume of 1,88 million tons recorded in the same month of 2021. In the first four months In 2022, the total imported reached 11,19 million tons, with growth of 6,4% compared to the same period last year (source: MDIC/SECEX). This data still reflects the accelerated pace of international purchases made at the beginning of the year and therefore before the crisis between Russia and Ukraine. Currently, however, this pace of imports may not be repeated, given that sanctions imposed on Russia have created obstacles, such as restrictions on transactions financial or logistical operations.
  
• Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the following factors: in geographic terms, it appears that the commercial flow of fertilizers from Belarus and China to Brazil has reduced, considering the uncertainties geopolitics; It is always important to remember that Brazil produces only 15% of the internal demand for fertilizers, importing the remaining 85%, which implies, by definition, a high degree of exposure to the volatility of international prices. In that step, it is natural that the producer's expectations regarding anticipating or postponing purchases are constantly dynamic. ANDA's total data for the period from January to February demonstrate, for example, an 11% reduction in deliveries of fertilizers in relation to the same two months of the previous year.
  

Therefore, ANDA reinforces the need to analyze information and the scenario with caution. It also clarifies that it continues to collaborate with the government in the search for alternatives to support the opening of new markets and logistics solutions, with the aim of maintaining the pace of deliveries to Brazilian consumers, as well as supporting the actions of the National Fertilizer Plan (PNF).

In this regard, our authorities are undoubtedly clear about the importance of guaranteeing the flow of these inputs to national agriculture, as fertilizers are essential and the first step for the food chain to flow. This is an issue of food security, which has been on the agenda of the UN and society as a whole. There are clear efforts to open new markets, prioritize the unloading of these inputs in our ports and, also, try to accelerate the development and debate on the PNF.