Brazil faces a 5-million-ton fertilizer shortfall: Morocco promises to supply 3.8 million

The commitment is to be formalized in Rabat by Brazilian Minister of Agriculture and Livestock André de Paula. According to CNN Brasil, which spoke with the minister, the first shipments could leave Morocco immediately after the agreement is concluded.

Brazil estimates its phosphate fertilizer shortfall at five million tonnes for the 2026-2027 agricultural season. With 3.8 million tonnes promised, Morocco would therefore cover more than three-quarters of the missing requirements.

The stakes are considerable for one of the world’s leading agricultural powers. Approximately 92% of the fertilizers consumed in Brazil come from abroad. Any disruption to deliveries directly threatens the planting schedule for soybeans, corn and sugar cane.

On Bladi.net : Brazil Seeks Moroccan Support to Boost Fertilizer Supply Amid Global Shortages

The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have weakened supply routes and reduced the volumes available on the international market. “The specter of a shortage has definitely been ruled out,” assures André de Paula, who presents the Moroccan commitment as a guarantee for the next harvest.

Brazil had already requested Morocco’s help to secure its fertilizer supplies after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. The kingdom has since established itself as one of Brazil’s main phosphate suppliers, behind Russia and Canada in particular.

Morocco expects Brazilian beef in return

The negotiation concerns more than just fertilizers. In return, Brazil is seeking the removal of Morocco’s customs duty on its beef. Although this market is theoretically open, Brazilian products currently face a tax that can reach 220%, severely limiting their competitiveness.

Brasilia hopes to reduce this duty to zero. The Moroccan market is estimated by Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture at between 100,000 and 150,000 tonnes of beef per year. In 2025, Brazil exported only 9,500 tonnes to Morocco, worth 27.7 million dollars.

A delegation bringing together twelve Brazilian agricultural organizations is due to accompany the minister to Rabat. It will include representatives of soybean and corn producers, as well as the meat-exporting industry.

On Bladi.net : article 123379

Brazil is simultaneously attempting to revive its own fertilizer production. Three Petrobras plants have resumed operations, and a fourth has yet to restart. However, these capacities will remain insufficient to meet demand, particularly for phosphate fertilizers, of which Morocco is one of the world’s major producers.

The agreement announced for the 2026-2027 agricultural season thus goes beyond a simple commercial sale: Morocco is to secure 76% of Brazil’s phosphate shortfall, while Brazil hopes in return to gain much broader access to the Moroccan meat market.