Latin America

Latin America accounts for about 8% of world fertilizer consumption. Under normal circumstances Brazil accounts for about half the region's consumption, Mexico for 15% and Argentina for 8% i.e. these three countries account for three quarters of the total.

Between 1990 and 2000 fertilizer consumption increased steadily in Brazil, with a setback only in 1995 due to credit problems. Consumption rose during this period from 3.2 to over 6.5 million tonnes of total nutrient.

During the same period total nutrient consumption in Argentina rose from 165 to about 850 thousand tonnes of nutrient. However, in 2002 a decline of 30% is expected due to currency problems, recession and credit restrictions.