Aug 03, 2026
Brazil Farmers Contracted 78% of Needed Fertilizers by mid-July
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
According to the market intelligence firm Veeries, 78% of the fertilizers needed for the 2026/27 summer growing season in Brazil had been contracted by July 15th compared to the three-year average of 82%. The recent rise in soybean prices (until this past week) had boosted farmer confidence and helped revive the purchasing of inputs for the upcoming crop season.
Even with the resumption of purchases in early July, Veeries is projecting a 7% decline in fertilizer deliveries in 2026 to 45.7 million tons. Market estimates indicate a contraction of between 5% and 10% in fertilizer deliveries in 2026.
Soybean farmers in Brazil are expected to cut back on phosphate-based fertilizers for the upcoming soybean crop. Logistical bottlenecks in the Middle East are affecting the transport of sulfur, a key input for phosphate fertilizer. In addition to prices remaining high, the import window for the summer crop is quickly closing.
For the safrinha corn crop that will be planted next January and February, fertilizer sales advanced 15% in 30 days according to Veeries. Approximately 30% of the fertilizers needed for the safrinha crop had been purchased by the first half of July, one point below the average for the last three years. Farmers are still concerned that nitrogen-based fertilizer prices could rise again due to instability in the Middle East.