BRASÍLIA: The Arab region has witnessed an unprecedented rise in fertiliser exports to Brazil during the first four months of this year with the total touching 1.14 million tonnes, an increase of 69 per cent from the 675,000 tonnes recorded in January to April in 2015. Brazil and fertiliser-producing Arab countries continue to enjoy strong trade relations, particularly in agriculture and minerals, according to the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC). In April alone, fertiliser imports soared by 70 per cent, from 215,500 tonnes traded in April 2015 to 364,400 tonnes, it said.
Brazil has produced a total of 2.7 million tonnes of fertilisers from January this year till April and has imported a total of 5.65 million tonnes – up by 3.5 per cent – from 5.46 million, compared to its imports during the same period last year, it added. Brazil’s economy is largely driven by its agriculture sector, heavily exporting cattle meat, corn, soy beans, coffee, sugar and palm oil, among others. Industry experts have predicted the country’s fertiliser market will continue to grow, with demand reaching up to 31 million tonnes, it stated. Dr Michel Alaby, secretary general and CEO, ABCC, said: “Fertilisers enjoy the second largest import from the Arab World to Brazil, next to minerals and oil.”
“The region’s fertiliser producers have continued to play a vital role in Brazil’s agriculture growth, and the food commodities worldwide. The first quarter results only signify profitable growth for this year, with the fertiliser market making a significant contribution to strengthen the economic ties between Brazil and the Arab World,” he said.
“The ever-increasing trade growth between Brazil and the Arab World continues to enjoy a commercial support system which provides consistent exchange of market data and information,” he added. “With food security as one of the region’s priority, our industry specialists have remained at the forefront of analysing and identifying new market opportunities for both regions. We are confident that this unique and stable relationship between the Arab World and Brazil will bear an even more lucrative business in the near future,” he concluded.
