Market Trends of south america micronutrient fertilizer Industry
The government's initiatives to achieve self-sufficiency have significantly contributed to the increased field crop cultivation
- The cultivation area for field crops in South America witnessed growth from 111.6 million ha in 2017 to 126.1 million ha in 2022, marking a 12.8% increase. This expansion in cultivation is projected to drive up the demand for fertilizers in the region. Field crops dominated the landscape, accounting for a substantial 96.8% share. In 2022, Brazil held the lion's share of the market at 56.9%, with Argentina trailing at 29.3%. Brazil, known as the global leader in soy production and exports, saw its soy output touch nearly 135 million tonnes in 2021. Out of this, a significant 105.5 million tonnes, or 82%, was exported, with 82% in raw soybean form, 16% as soybean cake, and 2% as soybean oil.
- Soybean cultivation reigns supreme in South America, with Brazil and Argentina leading the pack, accounting for 64.4% and 26.1% of the cultivated area, respectively. However, the region is currently grappling with an extended drought, leading to alarmingly low water levels in major rivers. This has far-reaching consequences, hampering both harvests and the transportation of crucial summer crops, especially soybeans. Consequently, this situation amplifies the urgency of increasing fertilizer applications in South America.
- Driven by robust global demand and favorable profitability, soybean cultivation in the Mercosur region has witnessed a surge. The price surge in raw materials, including soy, has incentivized producers to expand their operations, investing in new lands and equipment to enhance their scale and efficiency. As a result, the region is poised for further expansion in its field crop cultivation, aligning with the growth in both domestic and international markets.
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
Download PDF
In 2022, the highest average application rate among micronutrients is for manganese, approximately 12.2 kg/hectare
- Oxisols and ultisols dominate the South American soil landscape. Oxisols, characterized by high weathering, uniform texture, and abundant iron and aluminum oxides, contrast with ultisols, which are less weathered but more acidic. However, both soil types necessitate micronutrient supplementation for optimal crop yields, given the immobility of most micronutrients in the soil. Micronutrient deficiencies are increasingly limiting annual crop production in South America. Crops like rice, corn, wheat, soybean, and common bean have reported deficits in essential micronutrients such as zinc, copper, boron, manganese, and iron.
- In 2022, the average application rate of micronutrient fertilizers in field crops stood at 4.3 kg/hectare. Despite the presence of iron in these soils, its availability to plants is hampered by its binding with excessive phosphates. Consequently, the average iron application rate in field crops across the region is 3.3 kg/hectare. Manganese, with an average application rate of 12.2 kg/hectare in 2022, leads among the micronutrients. While it is prevalent in upland rice, it is less common in rainfed or lowland rice, as its solubility increases under submerged conditions. Manganese-deficient plants exhibit stunted growth, fewer leaves, reduced weight, and smaller root systems during tillering.
- Rapeseed, a prominent field crop in South America, demands higher micronutrient quantities compared to others. In 2022, its average micronutrient fertilizer application rate reached 4.40 kg/hectare. Given the growing emphasis on balanced crop nutrition and the pivotal role of micronutrients in overall yield, an uptick in micronutrient application is anticipated in the coming years.
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
Download PDF
OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- The shift to field crop cultivation coupled with Free Trade Agreements have resulted in reduced horticultural crop cultivation in the region
- Irrigation agriculture is majorly dominated by the Brazil in the region
- The average micronutrient application in the South American region for vegetable crops is 4.4 kg/hectare in 2022
