Operation monitors national production of nitrogen fertilizers in Bahia

15 fertilizer producing establishments, two importers and two storage service providers were inspected

17.11.2022 | 16:03 (UTC -3)
Map
15 fertilizer producing establishments, two importers and two storage service providers were inspected; Photo: Disclosure Mapa
15 fertilizer producing establishments, two importers and two storage service providers were inspected; Photo: Disclosure Mapa

A task force from the Agricultural Defense Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) was carried out in the region of Camaçari and Candeias, in the state of Bahia, to inspect companies producing simple mineral fertilizers. The region is one of the main nitrogen fertilizer producing centers in Brazil. Three companies were fully or partially embargoed for adjustments to facilities and quality control procedures for raw materials and finished products.

During the operation, 15 fertilizer producing establishments, two importers and two storage service providers were inspected. The team also inspected companies in emerging chains, with national products that seek to replace part of the demand for imported inputs for plant nutrition.

During the action, 21 representative samples of 27 thousand tons of fertilizers and 200 tons of remineralizers were collected for compliance analysis at the Federal Agricultural Defense Laboratories (LFDA). In total, 11 infraction notices and ten subpoenas were issued.

Nitrogen fertilizers represent the largest volume of products imported and sold for Brazilian agriculture. According to a survey by the National Association for the Diffusion of Fertilizers (Anda), in 2021, national production of urea was 431.258 tons, enough to meet 6,3% of the market. In the same period, national production of ammonium nitrate was 448.539 tons, 16,7% of demand. The additional quantity was imported.

According to data from the foreign trade statistics portal Comex Stat, until October 2022, the import of more than 5,7 million tons of urea was authorized through the various ports in Brazil.

“The frequency of inspection is essential, as at the time of the action the situation and documentary history can be assessed, but only recurrence can verify the implementation of improvements in facilities and quality control processes. This knowledge is fundamental to establishing critical control points in the fertilizer chain”, reports federal agricultural tax auditor Francisco Motta Bicca, who participated for the second consecutive year of operations in this region.

The task force included the participation of ten federal agricultural tax auditors from different units of the Federation. The action was organized by the Department of Plant Health and Agricultural Inputs and had logistical support from the Federal Superintendencies of Agriculture in the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais.

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