Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Extreme drought in Brazil already reduces important harvests and, at the same time, the advance of phosphorus peak can make fertilizers more expensive, raise food prices, and increase the risk of hunger in several regions of the world
The extreme drought in Brazil is already causing a drop in food production and raises an alert about the future of agriculture. Crops such as sugarcane, pineapple, and grains face difficulties, which reduces supply and pressures market prices.
At the same time, concern grows about the so-called phosphorus peak, an essential resource for fertilizers with no substitute. This scenario could lead to increased food prices, expand hunger, and cause economic impacts in various countries.
Prolonged drought already affects agricultural production and increases the risk of hunger
The lack of rain in several regions of the country directly compromises agricultural production. In the North and Northeast, the situation is even more serious, with food insecurity rates above 50%.
-
Workers were excavating a railway tunnel when they found six vessels buried under the old port of a Swedish city, with medieval shipwrecks and the remains of a ship from the 1530s preserved under the city center.
-
Scientists drilled the San Andreas fault to a depth of 3.1 kilometers and found talc in the active zone; nature’s softest mineral may explain why one of the planet’s most dangerous faults slides without releasing large earthquakes.
-
A beach named the ‘gayest in the world’ is located in Brazil and is attracting an BRL 80 million investment in a luxury hotel with 140 rooms and 18 floors, focusing on LGBTQIA+ tourism, a sector that moves billions globally.
-
Lula went to the hospital and underwent two medical procedures on the same day: treating keratosis on his head and receiving an infiltration in his right wrist in São Paulo, a procedure not requiring hospitalization.
Reduced harvests decrease the supply of basic foodstuffs, which leads to price increases. This effect mainly affects the most vulnerable families, who depend on essential products for daily life.
The assessment was published by ONS, the body responsible for monitoring the national energy system, which highlighted the impacts of the drought on agricultural production and food security.
Phosphorus peak puts global agriculture on alert
Phosphorus is an essential element for plant growth and has no synthetic substitute. It is present in fertilizers used on a large scale in modern agriculture.
The so-called phosphorus peak indicates the moment when global production reaches its maximum limit. After this, supply tends to fall, while prices increase.
Studies indicate that this peak could occur between 2030 and 2040, raising concerns about the ability to maintain food production in the future.
Reserves concentrated in a few countries increase global dependence
Most phosphorus reserves are concentrated in a few countries. Among them are Morocco, China, Algeria, and Syria, which control a significant portion of the world’s supply.
This concentration creates global dependence and increases the risk of instability. Countries that depend on imports, such as Brazil, become more vulnerable to price fluctuations and potential supply crises.
Brazil imports about 55% of the phosphate used, which reinforces the need for attention to the international scenario.
Lack of alternative for phosphorus worries specialists
Phosphorus is indispensable for modern agriculture. It participates in fundamental plant processes, such as energy production and development.
Mother Jones, an international investigative journalism magazine on the environment, highlighted that there is no synthetic substitute for this resource, which makes its scarcity even more concerning.
The quality of reserves is also decreasing, which could raise production costs and hinder access to fertilizer.
Rising fertilizer prices could impact food worldwide
The reduction in phosphorus supply could cause a significant increase in fertilizer prices. This effect tends to be passed on to the final consumer, raising the cost of food.
Mother Jones, an international investigative journalism magazine on the environment, reported previous crises with price increases of up to 700%, showing the economic impact of this type of scenario.
This increase affects the entire production chain, from farmer to consumer, pressuring economies and widening inequalities.
Global production faces challenge to feed billions of people
Global agriculture needs to meet a growing demand for food. The expectation is to sustain about 10 billion people in the coming decades.
With extreme weather events and a possible shortage of essential inputs, this challenge becomes even greater. Production needs to grow, but faces increasingly evident limitations.
This scenario reinforces the importance of seeking solutions to ensure food security and avoid more severe crises.
Current scenario demands attention to avoid even greater impacts
The combination of extreme drought and a possible shortage of phosphorus creates a risky environment for food production. The effects are already being felt and may intensify in the coming years.
Rising prices, reduced supply, and dependence on limited resources show that the issue requires urgent attention.
Given this scenario, do you believe the world is prepared to face a possible global food crisis, or are we still far from real solutions?
Be the first to react!