Petrobras announced the resumption of urea production in April 2026 at several of its fertilizer plants across Brazil [1, 2, 3].
The move aims to reduce Brazil's dependence on imported urea and strengthen national sovereignty in agribusiness. This effort comes as geopolitical tensions continue to affect global fertilizer prices and supply chains [1, 3, 6].
Operations are restarting at the Unidade de Fertilizantes Nitrogenados (Ansa) in Araucária, Paraná [1]. Production is also beginning this month at fertilizer factories located in Sergipe, and Bahia [2, 4].
To reactivate these units, Petrobras invested R$ 38 million per unit [2, 4]. The company is also advancing larger-scale projects to ensure long-term stability in the domestic fertilizer market.
One such initiative is the UFN3 project in Mato Grosso do Sul. This specific project, which had been paralyzed for 11 years, has a planned investment of approximately US$ 1 billion [5].
By increasing domestic urea output, the company seeks to insulate the Brazilian agricultural sector from the volatility of international markets. This strategy aligns with broader goals to secure the supply of essential nutrients for the country's massive crop production [1, 3].
“Petrobras announced the resumption of urea production in April 2026”
The restart of these plants signifies a strategic shift toward resource nationalism in Brazil's agricultural sector. By diversifying its production base across Paraná, Sergipe, and Bahia, Petrobras is attempting to mitigate the risks posed by global supply chain disruptions, ensuring that one of the world's largest agribusiness exporters is less vulnerable to external geopolitical shocks.
