Oct 12, 2021

Brazilian Farmers Concerned about Delayed Delivery of Inputs

Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.

An overriding theme this early planting season in Brazil has been the delays in delivering needed inputs such as fertilizers and chemicals or even the cancelation of orders because the product is not available.

The Soybean & Corn Producers Association of Brazil (Aprosoja Brazil) has been receiving reports from farmers for months concerning the delayed deliveries or cancelation of orders. They feel there may be a risk for the 2021/22 crops if this is not resolved.

The lack of Roundup herbicide is of particular concern because more than 90% of Brazil's soybeans are Roundup Ready varieties. Roundup is relatively cheap, and it is the most widely used herbicide worldwide. Another concern for Brazilian farmers is the ban on Paraquat herbicide which was used for burn-down before planting and as a desiccant during harvest. The best substitute for Paraquat costs 50% more.

Not having these products at the appropriate time could impact potential yields because fertilizers and chemicals need to be applied at the correct time to maximize yields. If these products are not available, it could result in financial losses for farmers, lower production, and potentially higher prices for meat, eggs, and milk products.