Brazil Organic Fertilizers Market Assessment, By Product [Animal-based, Plant-based, Mineral], By Form [Dry, Liquid], By Crop Type [Oilseeds and Pulses, Fruits and Vegetables, Flowers, Others], By End-user [Residential, Commercial], By Distribution Channel [Offline, Online], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F
Brazil organic fertilizers market is projected to witness a CAGR of 8.38% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 0.48 billion in 2023 to USD 0.91 billion in 2031. Organic fertilizers market in Brazil is majorly witnessing expansion due to availability of wider agricultural lands and greater contribution of agriculture to the country’s GDP. According to the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), agriculture represents 6.8% of Brazil’s GDP, making it an important segment of income, employment, and foreign exchange. Moreover, small scale agriculture in Brazil accounts to 77% of agricultural production and employs three-quarters of the farm labor force of the country. This is inducing the government to boost its agricultural sector by the usage of organic fertilizers to produce superior quality agricultural produce.
Various research institutions have been developed in Brazil, such as EMBRAPA, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, where studies are in process to enhance the efficiency and availability of organic fertilizers, mainly in the form of biofertilizers and compost, considering the great diversity of agricultural regions which the country contains. Hence, it has been acting as a catalyst to drive the growth of the organic fertilizers market in Brazil.
Organo-mineral fertilizers, which are a form of organic fertilizers, are gaining popularity in Brazil dueto their benefits. Additional incentives from the government in the form of policies stimulating organo-mineral fertilizer production and application were added to the trend. Another factor is an ever-growing demand for crops organically and sustainably produced, both for the domestic market and export. It makes organo-mineral fertilizers very attractive to Brazilian farmers who wish to increase yield without compromising soil health.
Government Initiatives to Drive Market Growth
The Brazilian government has instituted a variety of initiatives aimed at extending the use of organic fertilizers in keeping with its commitment to sustainable agriculture. These efforts include the National Program for Strengthening Family Farming, which offers financial and technical support for small-scale farmers to switch to organics. The government subsidizes the purchase of organic fertilizers, reducing cost pressures on farmers, and thus stimulating a shift from conventional to organic inputs.
It has been developing and strengthening legal regulatory frameworks pertaining to organic farming, with certifications and quality standards to protect the integrity of organic products. It involves promoting educational campaigns and extension services that sensitize farmers to the benefits of organic fertilizers, such as improving soil health and reducing environmental impact.
In March 2022, Brazil introduced National Fertilizer Plan which establishes guidelines for the fertilizer sector for the coming 28 years until 2050 to promote the development of national agribusiness. The aim of the plan is to reduce its dependence on fertilizer imports and provide opportunities for emerging products such as organic fertilizers and organo-minerals, also known as organic fertilizers, enriched with minerals.
Organo-mineral Fertilizers to Gain Traction in the Market
Organo-mineral fertilizers have been increasingly used in Brazil due to the capacity of products to add the positive aspects of organic and mineral fertilizers to offer more balanced management for soil fertility and crop nutrition. This kind of fertilizer uses organic matter that improves the structure, water-holding capacity, and microbiological activity of the soil, combined with mineral nutrients that supply the basic elements for plant growth. This dual action is especially useful in the Brazilian agricultural landscapes, which are varied, and where degradation of soils and lack of nutrients are common issues.
Another key driver for the rising adoption of organo-mineral fertilizers is the increasing focus on sustainable agriculture in Brazil. Accordingly, the country has been working on reducing its environmental impact and on higher sustainability in farming production. Organo-mineral fertilizers lead to ecological and economic balance by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers generally linked to soil and water pollution, while improving nutrient-use efficiency.
In July 2024, Terraplant introduced MinerOxi+ which is the first 3-in-1 organo-mineral fertilizer in Brazil. The fertilizer offers a rapid availability of nutrients from the mineral fertilizers with the long-lasting benefits of the organic fertilizers and enriched nutrient availability provided by the organic fraction.
Improvement in the Quality of Yield to Foster Market Growth
Organic fertilizers play a crucial role in the enhancement of the quality of agricultural yields through better soil health, and a stable and balanced nutrient supply. Organic fertilizers do not bring about any nutrient imbalance or degradation of the soil, like synthetic fertilizers. It improves the structure of the soil, enhances the activity of microbes, and increases the content of organic matter in it. These factors contribute to healthier root systems, which could maintain better nutrient uptake, hence more robust and resilient crops.
Organic fertilizers, such as compost, manure, and biofertilizers, enhance the availability of some important micronutrients depleted in soils under chemical treatment. This will produce vegetables that are of higher nutritional value, boast better flavor, and have a longer shelf life, commanding further demand in local and international markets. Organic fertilizers add to long-term fertility in the soil, reducing the need for external inputs over time, and thus supporting sustainable agriculture.
Organic fertilizers improve plants' self-defense systems against attack by pests and diseases, causing reduced usage of chemical pesticides. It further offers better safety and quality of the crop. In entirety, organic fertilizers contribute to healthier and more nutrient-rich crops, with rising demands by consumers for high-quality and sustainably produced food.
Future Market Scenario (2024 – 2031F)
Organic fertilizers are often more expensive than conventional fertilizers, which can be a barrier for small-scale farmers. Thus, with the increase in the adoption of organic fertilizers in Brazil, the consumers are expecting the introduction of affordable organic fertilizers.
While the market is growing, the availability of high-quality organic fertilizers can be inconsistent, especially in remote regions. Thus, the development of a robust infrastructure that makes organic fertilizers conveniently available is preferred by consumers.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
As local production is promoted in Brazil, several Brazilian companies are specialized producers of organic fertilizers in the country which includes the small-scale local producers and large agribusiness firms. Various multinational companies are active in Brazil which offer technologically advanced organic fertilizer formulations to the consumers.
The key players in the market are also contributing to the expansion of organic fertilizers as they are entering into partnerships and jointly working to enhance their productive capacities. In July 2024, Yara Brasil Fertilizantes S.A. (Yara) and Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. have signed a non-binding Master Agreement followed by the signed MOU in February 2024. Both companies aim to jointly focus on enhancing the efficiencies within the local fertilizer and industrial products market, including the exploring pathways for decarbonization.