Fertilizer Purchasing Power Improves in Brazil and Argentina, but Brazilian Demand Remains Weak
Brazil
MAPA has determined documents and proceedings involving sensitive matters, including registrations of pesticides, biological inputs, fertilizers, animal feed and animal health products, should be processed under restricted access at the Electronic Information System. The measure also covers the approval of establishments for exports and information related to inspection, investigation and intelligence activities. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Ordinance No. 938 – published on 07/17/2026, MAPA)
Farmers have delayed fertilizer purchases in the 1H26, resulting in sales declines for sulfur (-45%), monoammonium phosphate (-28%), urea (-27%) and single superphosphate (-13%). A partial recovery in the 2H26 is expected, despite lower phosphate fertilizer use on soybean farms. (Itaú BBA)
The USA will impose an additional 25% tariff on imports from Brazil, effective July 22nd, 2026, with exemptions for specific products. Fertilizers are exempt, as are certain natural rubber tariff lines. Some exemptions covering chemicals, pesticides, plastics and rubber are limited to pharmaceutical or aircraft applications or to specific tariff classifications. (USTR)
Long-term research by Embrapa’s Cerrados Biome Unit indicates that cover crops under no-tillage systems can increase or preserve soil carbon stocks without reducing crop yields. Grasses such as sorghum and wheat performed particularly well in limiting carbon losses after soybean introduction, while some legume-based systems reduced nitrous oxide emissions. (Embrapa)
The Agronomic Institute of Campinas has opened applications for the 31st Specialization Course in Citriculture, scheduled for August 18th–October 20th, 2026. The ten-week program will be online, with an optional in-person closing session at the Sylvio Moreira Citrus Center in Cordeirópolis, State of São Paulo. (IAC)
The Fertilizer Purchasing Power Index closed June at 1.42 (-7.5% compared to May). A lower index indicates a more favorable barter ratio, so the result represents improved purchasing power for farmers. The average 8% decline in fertilizer prices was partly offset by lower agricultural commodity prices and a stronger US dollar. (The Mosaic Company)
Antonio Marcos Franciscon is the new regional sales leader for the Brevant and Pioneer brands. (Corteva)
Fertilizer deliveries in Brazil reached 12.30 million tonnes from January to April 2026, up 1.6% from the same period of 2025. In April alone, however, deliveries declined 6% to 2.54 million tonnes. Domestic production of intermediate fertilizers fell 14.4% during the four-month period to 1.92 million tonnes, while imports remained nearly stable at 11.21 million tonnes. (ANDA)
Research found that isolates of the fungi Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma asperellum reduced the development of Phytophthora palmivora, the pathogen responsible for basal stem rot in peach palm (Bactris gasipaes), by up to 94%. Biological control could provide an alternative to fungicides in a crop with few effective disease-management options. (Embrapa; Apta; UFPR)
Luxembourg Brasil has appointed agronomist Rodrigo Lima as the new Country Head. Lima has more than 21 years of experience in agribusiness and previously served as commercial director for the Cerrados Biome East region at ICL South America. (Luxembourg Brasil)
Two Yara Fertilizantes’ employees have been arrested, charged with diverting high-value cargo for illicit sale, mixed with industrial waste, in a scheme that allegedly caused losses of US$ 3.93 million. The Civil Police are investigating the case as aggravated theft and criminal conspiracy. (Civil Police)
A driver was sentenced to four years and six months in prison for transporting 913 kg of illegal pesticides without registration in the Ministry of Agriculture, in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Thiamethoxam and emamectin benzoate were found in the products. (JFMS)
The Superior Court of Justice has ruled that altering pesticides without regulatory agency authorization causes diffuse harm and necessitates collective redress, imposing an obligation to pay collective compensation in an amount determined immediately. The decision stems from a public civil action filed by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office against a company that changed pesticide formulations without prior authorization from Anvisa. (STJ; MPF)
Embrapa’s Instrumentation Unit and the Federal University of São Carlos developed a biodegradable coating that protects the fungus Trichoderma harzianum when incorporated into monoammonium phosphate granules. After three months of storage, the encapsulated spores maintained a high survival rate, while the viability of non-encapsulated spores declined by up to one thousandfold. The technology could enable the combined application of the bioinput and the fertilizer but still requires field validation and commercial-scale production. (Embrapa; UFSCar)
The global prices of urea are increasing again amid recovering demand and escalating tensions in the Middle East. Prices at Brazilian ports have increased for three consecutive weeks, reflecting threats of restrictions on Iranian ports, reduced traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and inventory replenishment for the upcoming crop season. Despite the increase, the corn-to-urea barter ratio remains more favorable to farmers than in April. (StoneX)
The 44th State of São Paulo Plant Pathology Congress will happen from July 22nd to 24th at São Paulo State University in Botucatu, State of São Paulo. The agenda includes AI applied to disease management, biological control, fungal resistance to fungicides, regenerative systems, corn stunt diseases and citrus greening. Organized by the Federal University of São Carlos and São Paulo State University, the event is expected to gather approximately 600 participants. (UFSCar; Unesp)
At the request of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Federal Court of Accounts of Brazil has authorized an audit of Ibama’s environmental evaluation of pesticides. The inspection will examine delays, management and transparency of registration queues, compliance with statutory deadlines and implementation of Law No. 14785/2023. Available at: https://tinyurl.com/rm2pzcf7 (TCU)
Latin America
The National Service of Agrifood Quality and Sanity is implementing a new regulatory framework for nurseries and plant propagation material in Argentina, under Resolution No. 64/2026. The measure standardizes inspection criteria nationwide, improves traceability and strengthens the monitoring of registered operators to reduce the risk of pest introduction and spread. (Senasa)
The recovery in wheat and corn prices improved Argentine farmers’ purchasing power for urea. In July, 2.65 tonnes of wheat or 3.13 tonnes of corn were required to purchase one tonne of urea, representing improvements in purchasing power of 22.8% and 20.6%, respectively, compared with June. (fyo)
The Civil and Commercial Court of Appeals in Junín, Argentina, ordered a private security company to pay US$ 15.5 thousand in compensation to the owner of a seed and agrochemical warehouse burglarized in 2017. The company failed to report the interruption of monitoring, preventing measures against the break-in. (SCBA)
Argentina has authorized the commercialization, for all uses, of BASF’s genetically modified soybean stack BCS-GM151-6 × DAS-81419-2 × DAS-444Ø6-6 under Resolution 113/2026. The stack provides tolerance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides, glyphosate, glufosinate-ammonium and 2,4-D, as well as protection against soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) and certain lepidopteran pests. Before cultivars containing the stack can be registered, the company must submit an Insect Resistance Management Plan and obtain a favorable review from the competent authorities. (SAGyP; Conabia)
Argentina has renewed the debate over agrochemical spraying rules in Buenos Aires Province following the Pergamino trial. Due to insufficient evidence, the court acquitted five farmers, an agronomist and an applicator accused of environmental contamination linked to spraying; two former municipal officials were convicted of breaching their public duties. The absence of provincial legislation continues to leave municipalities operating under different criteria. (PJN; FAA)
Bolivia and Chile strengthened technical cooperation on animal and plant health during the 18th Border and Integration Committee Meeting. Commitments include information sharing, epidemiological surveillance, border controls and measures against the illegal movement of agricultural products, as well as initiatives to facilitate safe bilateral trade. (Senasag)
National Soil Platform of Bolivia warned that forest fires, intensive agrochemical use, overgrazing and inadequate farming practices are making soil degradation worse in Bolivia. The problem is reducing land productivity, threatening food security and contributing to the abandonment of rural areas. (ANF)
According to a research, the response of the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) to heat waves depends on the combination of aphid genotype and bacterial symbiont. Dominant “superclones” from Chile carrying Regiella insecticola showed no detectable survival or reproductive costs, while a European genotype associated with Hamiltonella defensa experienced lower survival, fecundity and population growth. (School of Biochemistry; Universidad de Talca)
Ecuador has confirmed its second case of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4), one of the most serious phytosanitary threats to banana and plantain production. The new outbreak was detected in the El Quemado area of El Oro Province, on a property adjacent to the site where the country’s first case was identified. The Phytosanitary and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control Agency activated its contingency plan to contain the pathogen and prevent its spread. (Agrocalidad)
During the 4th National Congress on Agri-Food Health and Safety, held in Mexico, lawmakers, specialists and agribusiness representatives proposed increasing the 2027 budget of the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality to approximately US$ 588 million, nearly twice the 2026 budget. Participants also called for the creation of a sanitary emergency fund in response to the spread of pests such as the New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax). (CNA; Senasica)
The Ministry of Agriculture of Mexico reported that the “Fertilizers for Well-Being” program supported 1.92 million small and medium-sized farmers in the 1H26, equivalent to 89% of the annual beneficiary target. By the first week of July, approximately 970 thousand tonnes were sent to distribution centers, reaching 92% of the supply target; more than 900 thousand tonnes had been delivered directly, covering over 3 million hectares. (Sader)
Meeting in Bolivia, the Ministers of Agriculture participants of the Southern Agricultural Council rejected unilateral regulations not supported by science that could operate as arbitrary technical and trade barriers. The group warned that measures concerning Maximum Residue Limits and import tolerances for phytosanitary products must be based on scientifically validated methodologies to preserve open, predictable and rules-based international food trade. The Council comprises Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. (IICA; CAS)
Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico are evaluating an organic fertilizer produced from nopal processing waste, a cactus widely grown and consumed in the country. In tests with forage oats, the product increased biomass by up to 20% and accelerated plant maturation by one month, while also helping to restore soils affected by agrochemical use. (UNAM)
The Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation of Peru is to commercialize 17 thousand tonnes of guano in 2026, equivalent to 340 thousand bags. The organic fertilizer will be distributed across 23 regions and is expected to benefit more than 29 thousand farming families, covering approximately 28.7 thousand hectares. Of the planned volume, 84.3% will be allocated to smallholder farmers, farmer organizations and public projects. (Midagri)
The Ombudsman’s Office of Peru will monitor compliance with the recommendations of Report No. 268, which identified pesticide residues in fruits, vegetables, tubers and grains, including cases exceeding maximum residue limits and involving prohibited or restricted substances. The recommendations seek to strengthen inspections, traceability and food safety controls. (Defensoría del Pueblo)
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