Brazilian farmers hit by soaring fertilizer costs and EU meat import ban

A surge in global fertilizer prices, driven by the blockage of about one‑third of the world’s supply in the Strait of Hormuz since the Iran‑US/Israel conflict began, is straining Brazil’s agribusiness. Brazilian producers rely heavily on imported fertilizers such as DAP and urea, and the price spike has pushed many into debt and halted expansion plans. “Profitability doesn’t exist,” said Goiás farmer Murilo Rabelo Martins Pereira.

At the same time, the European Union has announced a veto on Brazilian meat, poultry, aquaculture, honey and entrails imports from 3 September, citing insufficient guarantees that Brazilian producers comply with the EU’s 2023 antimicrobial‑use regulations. Experts note the move mixes technical food‑safety concerns with political pressure from European producers. Brazil’s vice‑president has pledged a “big effort” to negotiate a reversal before the ban takes effect.