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Produtoras de fertilizantes investem no Brasil

  • : Fertilizers
  • 21/12/30

As produtoras globais de fertilizantes fortaleceram a participação no mercado brasileiro em 2021 por meio de fusões e aquisições de misturadoras e distribuidoras do país.

Fontes do governo brasileiro acreditam que o aumento no número de fusões e aquisições está estritamente relacionado aos altos preços dos fertilizantes no mercado spot e ao fato de o Brasil ser um importante mercado consumidor. A alta também é impulsionada pela sinalização de que o país pretende reduzir a burocracia legal para a produção nacional de fertilizantes.

A mudança acontece em um momento no qual o governo brasileiro considera aumentar a produção nacional de insumos. No primeiro trimestre, a ministra da Agricultura, Tereza Cristina, iniciou discussões para desenvolver o Plano Nacional de Fertilizantes, com o objetivo de reduzir a dependência do país de fertilizantes importados.

O Brasil é o quarto maior consumidor de fertilizantes do mundo, e a demanda deve permanecer forte à medida que o país continua a desempenhar um papel de liderança na agricultura.

Mas a produção local de fertilizantes está longe de atender às demandas internas, e o Brasil importa cerca de 80pc dos fertilizantes consumidos todos os anos. De acordo com a Associação Nacional para Difusão de Adubos (Anda), 40,6 milhões de t de fertilizantes foram entregues em 2020, sendo 6,4 milhões de t produtos nacionais. Em 2021, os dados mais recentes mostram que 33,7 milhões de t foram entregues até setembro, com quase 5 milhões de t de produção doméstica.

Entre as fusões e aquisições anunciadas este ano, a Uralkali concordou em adquirir uma participação de 50pc na misturadora Fertgrow no início de dezembro. A Fertgrow entrega fertilizantes para clientes no Maranhão, Piauí, Tocantins, Pará e Mato Grosso. O Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (Cade) deve avaliar o negócio entre o fim de janeiro e o início de fevereiro, de acordo com a Fertgrow. A empresa pretende dobrar sua participação de 18pc no mercado de cloreto de potássio até 2025.

Também em dezembro, a Eurochem concordou em comprar uma participação de 51,48pc na distribuidora Heringer em um negócio avaliado em R$ 554,6 milhões. O negócio, que ainda precisa de aprovação do Cade, é mais um passo para aumentar a presença da Eurochem no Brasil. Desde 2016, a empresa tem o controle acionário da Fertilizantes Tocantins e a produtora russa fechou um acordo em junho de 2020 para adquirir o restante da participação na empresa brasileira. De acordo com a companhia, as vendas da Eurochem Fertilizantes Tocantins aumentaram 20pc em 2020 e atingiram 8pc do mercado brasileiro de fertilizantes, enquanto o Brasil respondeu por 22pc da receita total.

A Heringer, que está em um plano de recuperação, possui atualmente 11 unidades operacionais no Brasil com capacidade instalada de 4,225 milhões de t. A empresa ainda mantém três unidades inativas no sul do país. Nos primeiros nove meses de 2021, a Heringer entregou 1,1 milhão de t de fertilizantes, um aumento de 17,5pc em relação ao mesmo período do ano anterior.

Em setembro de 2019, a Heringer fechou um acordo com a fornecedora Uralchem e a produtora de cloreto de potássio Uralkali. O negócio não se concretizou apesar da aprovação do Cade.

Na área de exploração e produção, os produtores internacionais também atuam no mercado brasileiro. Em junho, a Potássio do Brasil, controlada pela canadense Forbes & Manhattan, solicitou uma licença de operação para exploração em Itapiranga, no estado do Amazonas. A empresa estima que o projeto teria uma capacidade de produção anual de 2 milhões de t de cloreto de potássio. O projeto Autazes, da Potássio do Brasil, também no estado do Amazonas, está em processo de licenciamento e deve produzir 2,4 milhões de t/ano de cloreto de potássio. Não há informações sobre os prazos de início das operações.

As autoridades brasileiras aprovaram em setembro a compra do projeto de fosfatados da Serra do Salitre, da produtora norueguesa Yara, em Minas Gerais, pela Eurochem por $410 milhões. O projeto está programado para colocar em operação uma planta de fosfatados de 1 milhão de t/ano, que produzirá MAP/NP, bem como SSP e TSP, em 2023. Sua meta de produção será alcançada em 2024, de acordo com a Eurochem.


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25/02/19

Egypt’s Misr Phosphate launches low-dust phosphate rock

Egypt’s Misr Phosphate launches low-dust phosphate rock

London, 19 February (Argus) — Major Egyptian phosphate rock producer Misr Phosphate is selling rock with reduced dust content for shipment to Europe and Latin America from Damietta port in the Mediterranean. The producer has built a facility at the Abu Tartour phosphate mine in southwestern Egypt to remove particles measuring less than 80 micrometers from crushed phosphate rock. It says the process reduces dust by about 80pc while raising the P2O5 content by 1.0-1.5pc and cutting the heavy metal content. The ‘de-dusting' facility at Abu Tartour at present is running at an output of about 1,000 t/day (t/d), with the potential to reach capacity of about 2,000 t/d in the second quarter of this year. Misr Phosphate began marketing the low-dust rock at the end of 2024. So far, 15,000t of the product — ranging from 27-29pc P2O5 — has shipped to southern Europe. A further 7,000t — containing 26-27pc P2O5 — is set to complete loading at Damietta for shipment to Brazil this week. Misr Phosphate also will load 15,000t of low-dust rock in March for shipment to Brazil and a further 20,000t in April for shipment to Spain. The prices of the cargoes sold are not yet known but are likely to be higher because of the added processing costs. High levels of dust in Egyptian phosphate rock previously excluded the product from many markets because of environmental regulations at discharging ports. Misr Phosphate says the low-dust cargoes delivered to European ports so far have unloaded successfully. Misr Phosphate is the sole license holder for mining phosphate rock in Abu Tartour. It also holds licenses to operate in El Sabaia and Red Sea mines further east. Misr Phosphate last year produced about 6.7mn t of phosphate rock of all grades, about 3.7mn t of which were exported. It targets 7mn t of phosphate rock production and 4mn t of exports for this year. Total Egyptian phosphate rock exports were 5.2mn t last year and are anticipated to reach as high as 6mn t this year, Egyptian marketing company for phosphate and fertilizers (EMPHCO) said. Egyptian rock exports totalled 680,000t in January, including 273,000t that were shipped to India. EMPHCO expects Egypt to export 1.2mn t of phosphate rock this quarter. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EU draft plan seeks to cut energy costs


25/02/19
25/02/19

EU draft plan seeks to cut energy costs

Brussels, 19 February (Argus) — The European Commission has set out plans to tackle the cost of energy in the EU, warning in a draft document that Europe risks de-industrialisation because of a growing energy price gap compared to global competitors. High energy prices are undermining "the EU's global standing and international competitiveness", the commission said, in a draft action plan for affordable energy, seen by Argus . The plan is expected to be released next week, alongside a clean industrial deal and other strategy documents. Much of the strategy relies on non-binding recommendations rather than legislation, particularly in energy taxation. Officials cite EU reliance on imported fossil fuels as a main driver of price volatility. And they also highlight network costs and taxation as key factors. For taxation, the commission pledges — non-binding — recommendations that will advise EU states on how to "effectively" lower electricity taxation levels all the way down to "zero" for energy-intensive industries and households. Electricity should be "less taxed" than other energy sources on the bloc's road to decarbonisation, the commission said. It wants to strip non-energy cost components from energy bills. Officials also eye revival of the long-stalled effort to revise the EU's 2003 energy taxation directive. That requires unanimous approval from member states. The commission pledges, for this year, an energy union task force that pushes for a "genuine" energy union with a fully integrated EU energy market. Additional initiatives include an electrification action plan, a roadmap for digitalisation, and a heating and cooling strategy. A white paper will look at deeper electricity market integration in early next year. EU officials promise "guidance" to national governments on removing barriers to consumers switching suppliers and changing contracts, on energy efficiency, and on consumers and communities producing and selling renewable energy. More legislative action will come to decouple retail electricity bills from gas prices and ease restrictions on long-term energy contracts for heavy industries. By 2026, the commission promises guidance on combining power purchase agreements (PPAs) with contracts for difference (CfDs). And officials will push for new rules on forward markets and hedging. There are also plans for a tariff methodology for network charges that could become legally binding. Familiar proposals include fast-tracking energy infrastructure permits, boosting system flexibility via storage and demand response. Legislative overhaul of the EU's energy security framework in 2026 aims to better prepare Europe for supply disruptions, cutting price volatility and levels. Specific figures on expected savings from cutting fossil fuel imports are not given in the draft seen by Argus . But the strategy outlines the expected savings from replacing fossil fuel demand in electricity generation with "clean energy" at 50pc. Improving electrification and energy efficiency will save 30pc and enhancing energy system flexibility will save 20pc, according to the draft. The commission is also exploring long-term supply deals and investments in LNG export terminals to curb prices. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Australian fertilizer, copper, zinc rail line to reopen


25/02/19
25/02/19

Australian fertilizer, copper, zinc rail line to reopen

Sydney, 19 February (Argus) — The Mount Isa rail line — which connects multiple Queensland phosphate and copper mines to the Port of Townsville — will reopen today, after floods damaged the track earlier this month. The track is expected to open on 19 February, the line's operator Queensland Rail (QR) confirmed to Argus. But QR did not specify the reopening time. The company announced the line closure on 10 February, after nearly two weeks of heavy rains. QR identified 1.6km of track damage along the Mount Isa rail by 14 February. The rail operator's staff were unable to access parts of the track at the time, as water covered 2km of the line. Fertilizer suppliers Incitec Pivot and Centrix use the lines for DAP/MAP and phosphate rock shipments respectively from their Phosphate Hill and Ardmore projects. Metals producer Glencore also moves copper and zinc from its Mount Isa mining complex to Townsville via the track. Centrix is planning to ship approximately 10,000t of phosphate concentrate out of the Port of Townsville in mid-March. The company also moved 25,000t of concentrate out of the port on 18 February, supported by its phosphate stockpile in Townsville. Queensland's recent floods also disrupted loadings at many of the state's coal ports, including the Ports of Abbot Point, Hay Point, and Dalrymple Bay, in early February. Coal loadings across Australia's east coast dipped to 5.42mn deadweight tonnes (dwt) over the week to 8 February, down by 27pc from 7.42mn dwt a week earlier, because of the weather issues. Argus ' MAP/DAP fob Townsville price was last assessed at $620-640/t on 13 February. By Avinash Govind Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Peru backs Saudi critical minerals hub plan


25/02/15
25/02/15

Peru backs Saudi critical minerals hub plan

Munich, 15 February (Argus) — Peru's foreign minister Elmer Schialer today said he supports US policy backing Saudi Arabia's efforts to become a global critical minerals powerhouse, a strategy that aims to counterbalance China's dominance and bring down costs. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Schialer called the US approach "a good strategy". Schialer was responding to a question on whether the US' backing of Saudi Arabia's efforts to become a critical minerals refining and processing hub was a good idea. "I think we ought to give it a try, because when we have two, three or four main centers of refinement and the finalizing the product, the cost will also eventually go down, which is also very important, economically speaking," Schialer said. Led by the US, western countries are keen to loosen China's stranglehold on access to critical minerals. China controls about 90pc of the world's capacity for processing the minerals and has steadily tightened restrictions on exporting the materials and technology needed to process them. Beijing imposed new restrictions on exports to the US in late January in response to President Donald Trump's tariffs on imports to the US from China. Saudi Arabia in recent years has made strides in positioning itself on the global critical minerals map. As part of its economic diversification plan Vision 2030, the kingdom aims to strengthen local processing and industrial value added, while building supply chains that are more resilient to global disruptions. Saudi Arabia also has reiterated its commitment to developing its substantial reserves of copper, gold, rare earths, potash, and bauxite, while also expanding domestic electric vehicle manufacturing. Riyadh in January unveiled plans to develop a new mineral investment project valued at $100bn, $20bn of which was already in the final engineering phase or under construction. The kingdom's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources increased its estimate of the value of its unexploited mineral resources from $1.3 trillion to $2.5 trillion in early 2024, boosted by new discoveries. State-controlled Aramco has also created a joint venture with Saudi state mining company Ma'aden to explore and produce energy transition minerals. By Bachar Halabi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Weather to set the tone for ferts in Argentina


25/02/14
25/02/14

Weather to set the tone for ferts in Argentina

Sao Paulo, 14 February (Argus) — Climate conditions in Argentina and their impact on 2024-25 oilseed and grain crop output are expected to set the course for investments in fertilizers for the next season. Reduced liquidity prevails in Argentina, as the country is now in its off-season for fertilizer purchases. Wheat planting starts in May in main producing areas, while the first corn crop starts in September. One-off demand emerging for nitrogen has been covered by domestic production, according to market participants that operate in the region. Despite the reduced activity, granular urea in the domestic market has been firming, following the international market trend. Prices in the domestic market are referenced at $450/metric tonne (t) cfr equivalent, while Argus assessed granular urea at $445-455/t cfr Argentina on 13 February. Investments for fertilizers to be applied during the 2025-26 season are still uncertain in Argentina, as it faces unfavorable weather conditions because of the La Nina weather phenomenon, which may hamper farmers' profitability. Fertilizer usage in Argentina increased by 7pc to 4.9mn t in 2024 from the previous year, according to preliminary data from fertilizer association Fertilizar. That is the highest volume since 2021, when fertilizer usage reached a record high of 5.6mn t. Hydric stress lowers outlook for corn Corn planting finished in Argentina as of 13 February, while crop conditions continue to deteriorate because of extremely dry weather. Areas rated of good quality total only 16pc of the sowed area this cycle, falling by 49 percentage points from two months ago, according to the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange (Bage). Areas sowed in October-November are likely to have suffered the most from the drought, as they reached their reproductive stages when weather conditions were most dire. Recent rainfall received by some Argentinian areas was not enough to reverse previous losses, while favoring crop development of later crops. Hydric stress caused production outlooks for the 2024-25 corn crop to decrease by 1mn t in February, according to Bage and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Bage and USDA now project volumes to total 49mn t and 50mn t, respectively. The reductions are curbed by planted area expansions of 300,000 hectares (ha) to 6.6mn ha in December, according to Bage, which has revised its acreage outlook upwards based on decisions from farmers to plant less soybean this season because of tight margins. Further downward revisions are likely to come in the next months, as the areas that were most affected by the lack of soil moisture are harvested, according to market participants. But farmers' profitability could still be high this season, as the global market is expected to face a supply shortage this year. USDA projects that global demand will surpass world production by 25mn t, boosting prices worldwide amid higher competition for the grain from major importers and domestic industries from key producers. Despite La Nina-related losses, Argentina is still the third largest corn exporter, behind only Brazil and the US. Fertilizer usage up in 2024 The increase of fertilizer usage in 2024 from 2023 reflects a 5pc increase in 2024-25 wheat acreage area from the previous season, reaching 6.3mn ha, according to Bage. Despite the corn area's nearly 17pc decrease to 6.6mn ha from 7.9mn ha, fertilizer usage for corn also increased in 2024, Fertilizar said. Farmers opted to plant the first corn crop instead of the second corn crop, which forced producers to invest in technology to plant, including fertilizer usage. The second corn crop is usually planted in December, when hot and dry weather conditions favor the development of leafhoppers. The decision came after Argentinian farmers struggled with the occurrence of leafhoppers in 2023, which hampered production. Granular urea imports increased by nearly 31pc to 1.1mn t in 2024 from a year prior, with Nigeria and Algeria accounting for 27pc and 25pc, respectively. Urea from Egypt significantly decreased its market share in 2024, representing almost 7pc of deliveries from 44pc in 2023. Egypt and Argentina have a free trade agreement that exempts some Egyptian products from tariffs. Imports from the country were significant until June and peaked in April at 34,225t, according to data from Global Trade Tracker (GTT). But the country provided zero volumes in July-November and sent only 4,400t to Argentina in December. The reduction of Egypt's market share came because of the Argentinian government's decision in early May to eliminate import tariffs of 5.4pc on urea and 3.6pc on UAN, making nitrogen-based fertilizers from other origins more competitive. By Renata Cardarelli and Nathalia Giannetti Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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