What is Petrobras' target share of Brazil's nitrogen fertilizer demand by 2028, and how does it plan to achieve it?

Petrobras aims to supply around 35% of Brazil’s nitrogen fertilizer demand by 2028 through the full operation of four reactivated plants: FAFEN-BA (Bahia), FAFEN-SE (Sergipe), ANSA (Paraná), and UFN-III (Mato Grosso do Sul). FAFEN-BA and FAFEN-SE are already producing, with capacities of 475,000 tonnes/year each for ammonia and urea (FAFEN-BA) and 650,000 tonnes/year urea, 450,000 tonnes/year ammonia, and 320,000 tonnes/year ammonium sulphate (FAFEN-SE); ANSA has capacity for 720,000 tonnes/year urea and 475,000 tonnes/year ammonia; UFN-III is expected online by 2029. Together, these facilities are intended to significantly reduce Brazil’s current 85–90% import dependency on nitrogen fertilizers.

What recent operational setbacks have affected Petrobras’ fertilizer plant restart programme, and which plants were involved?

Two recent setbacks disrupted operations: FAFEN-SE was paralyzed on 12 April due to an external power failure from the utility company that damaged internal systems, requiring intervention for restoration; ANSA halted operations on 30 April following an incident in its compressor room — though Petrobras confirmed no impacts on people or the environment and stated ammonia sales continued. At the time of the report, both plants’ return-to-operation timelines were pending, with FAFEN-SE expected to resume later in May and ANSA’s restart date to be announced later.

Petrobras Bets on Fertilizer Revival to Cut Brazil's Import Dependency, But Political Risk Looms

May 25, 2026

Petrobras plans to supply over a third of Brazil's nitrogen fertilizer demand by 2028 through plant reopenings, aiming to reduce 90% import dependency. However, the strategy faces political risks from upcoming elections and operational setbacks at reactivated facilities.

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