What is the peak buying season for fertilizers into Uruguay?

Uruguay operates two main planting cycles. The largest buying window opens between July and October for the summer crop (soybeans and corn planted in October–December). A second purchasing cycle occurs from February to April for winter wheat and malting barley planted in May–June.

What vessel sizes discharge fertilizer at Nueva Palmira and Montevideo?

Montevideo's open-sea port takes Handysize and Supramax vessels with drafts up to 12.0 meters. Nueva Palmira operates with river draft constraints governed by the Martín García and Emilio Mitre channels (typically 32 to 34 feet brackish water), meaning bulk carriers generally enter partially laden or lighten at Montevideo before proceeding upriver.

Who are the primary buyers of bulk fertilizer in Uruguay?

The market is concentrated among major agricultural trading houses, regional distributor networks (including Copagran, Proquimur, and regional cooperatives), and international grain exporters who barter fertilizer inputs against future crop deliveries.

What quality certification is needed for Uruguayan customs release?

Cargoes must carry an official Certificate of Analysis and Weight issued by an internationally accredited independent surveyor (SGS or Intertek) at the port of loading, confirming total nitrogen, ammoniacal and nitric forms, water-soluble phosphate, granulometry (2–4 mm ≥ 90%), and moisture content compliant with MGAP registration standards.

Americas · Uruguay

Fertilizer Suppliers CFR Uruguay (Nueva Palmira and Montevideo)

Ocean bulk discharge at Nueva Palmira and Montevideo for Uruguay's high-yield soybean, wheat and pasture agricultural belts

Uruguay's intensive agricultural model—built around 1.2 million hectares of zero-tillage soybeans, wheat, barley, rice and managed cattle pasture—consumes over 450,000 tonnes of imported fertilizers annually under HS 3102.10 (urea) and HS 3105.30 (DAP). Because Uruguay possesses no domestic synthetic nitrogen synthesis or phosphate rock processing plants, national agricultural production depends completely on maritime imports arriving ahead of the seasonal planting windows (September to November for summer crops; April to June for winter cereals).

Deep-sea fertilizer bulkers discharge at the Port of Montevideo or at the river terminal hub of Nueva Palmira at the confluence of the Uruguay and Paraná rivers. Nueva Palmira serves both Uruguayan agricultural cooperatives and private grain traders, as well as the transshipment barge trade along the Paraná-Paraguay Hidrovía corridor into western Paraguay and Bolivia. Under Uruguayan Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP / Dirección General de Servicios Agrícolas) regulations, all imported fertilizers must be pre-registered and conform to declared nutrient specifications (Urea: min 46% N, max 1.0% biuret, max 0.5% moisture; DAP: min 18% N, 46% P2O5). CBIL brokers full and split Handysize cargoes (15,000 to 30,000 MT) CFR Nueva Palmira and Montevideo, verified by SGS, Intertek or Schutter at load port.

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The market in figures

Uruguayan annual imports: Over 450,000 tonnes under HS 3102.10, 3105.30 and 3105.40
Primary discharge terminals: Nueva Palmira (Navios / Terminales Graneleras) · Port of Montevideo
Key fertilizer grades: Granular Urea 46% N · Diammonium Phosphate DAP 18-46-0 · MAP 11-52-0
Supply origins: Egypt · Algeria · Oman (outside Hormuz) · US Gulf · Nigeria
Import oversight: Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca (MGAP - DGSA registration)
Regional advantage: Direct access to the Paraná-Paraguay River Waterway (Hidrovía)

Landed values are the importing country's declared CIF, not CBIL prices.

Questions buyers ask

What is the peak buying season for fertilizers into Uruguay?: Uruguay operates two main planting cycles. The largest buying window opens between July and October for the summer crop (soybeans and corn planted in October–December). A second purchasing cycle occurs from February to April for winter wheat and malting barley planted in May–June.
What vessel sizes discharge fertilizer at Nueva Palmira and Montevideo?: Montevideo's open-sea port takes Handysize and Supramax vessels with drafts up to 12.0 meters. Nueva Palmira operates with river draft constraints governed by the Martín García and Emilio Mitre channels (typically 32 to 34 feet brackish water), meaning bulk carriers generally enter partially laden or lighten at Montevideo before proceeding upriver.
Who are the primary buyers of bulk fertilizer in Uruguay?: The market is concentrated among major agricultural trading houses, regional distributor networks (including Copagran, Proquimur, and regional cooperatives), and international grain exporters who barter fertilizer inputs against future crop deliveries.
What quality certification is needed for Uruguayan customs release?: Cargoes must carry an official Certificate of Analysis and Weight issued by an internationally accredited independent surveyor (SGS or Intertek) at the port of loading, confirming total nitrogen, ammoniacal and nitric forms, water-soluble phosphate, granulometry (2–4 mm ≥ 90%), and moisture content compliant with MGAP registration standards.