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President highlights reopening of Fafen-BA with an investment of R$ 100 million, defends national economic sovereignty, and states that the country needs to produce its own fertilizers to strengthen agribusiness, industry, and job creation
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva once again defended the strengthening of Petrobras and the national industry during a visit to the Nitrogen Fertilizer Factory of Bahia (Fafen-BA), located in Camaçari. The unit officially resumed operations in January this year after receiving investments of R$ 100 million and is currently operating at about 90% of its operational capacity.
The information was released by “Brasil 247”, with details about the presidential visit to the Bahian industrial unit and the federal government’s plans to expand national fertilizer production, reduce import dependency, and reinforce Brazilian economic sovereignty in sectors considered strategic.
Additionally, Lula took the opportunity to criticize privatizations carried out in previous governments, advocate for greater state presence in the economy, and highlight the importance of Petrobras for the country’s technological, industrial, and energy development.
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Fafen-BA resumes operations at 90% capacity and meets 5% of national demand
The resumption of Fafen-BA represents an important movement within the federal government’s strategy to rebuild the national fertilizer industry. According to information presented during the event, the unit has the capacity to produce daily:
- 1,300 tons of urea;
- 1,300 tons of ammonia;
- 178 tons of ARLA 32, the Automotive Liquid Reducing Agent.
Currently, the factory already meets approximately 5% of the Brazilian demand for fertilizers, a sector considered essential for agribusiness and national food security.
Moreover, the reactivation of the industrial plant directly strengthens the national production chain, reducing part of Brazil’s dependency on imported fertilizers, especially in an international scenario marked by geopolitical instability and high price volatility.
During the speech, Lula stated that Brazil cannot continue importing about 90% of the fertilizers used in national agriculture.
“Brazil is an agricultural country. Brazil is the second-largest food producer. And Brazil needs fertilizer. Brazil cannot be an importer of 90% of the fertilizer that our agriculture needs,” declared the president.
According to Lula, producing fertilizers internally generates technological development, qualified jobs, industrial strengthening, and sustainable economic growth.
Lula criticizes privatizations and advocates for a stronger Petrobras
Throughout the event in Camaçari, Lula also reiterated his criticism of the sale of Petrobras assets carried out in previous administrations. The president stated that the fragmentation of the state-owned company removed important instruments of economic and strategic action from the country.
Among the examples cited, Lula mentioned the sale of the former BR Distribuidora. According to him, the operation reduced Petrobras’ ability to influence fuel prices and distribution in the national market.
“Do you think I ever accepted the sale of BR? By selling BR, they took away Petrobras’ right to influence prices and distribution,” he stated.
Furthermore, the president declared that he wishes to see a distributor linked to Petrobras operating in the fuel sector again.
Lula also reinforced that Brazil has abandoned strategic areas of the economy over the past years by prioritizing imports instead of internal production.
According to him, even if producing in Brazil has a higher initial cost, the economic and social benefits outweigh the investment.
“Producing here could be a bit more expensive. But we would be bringing technological knowledge, qualified labor, internal development, and job creation,” he highlighted.
Government wants to strengthen national industry and expand economic sovereignty
Another central point of the presidential speech was the defense of Brazilian economic sovereignty. Lula stated that the country needs to recover its decision-making capacity in strategic areas such as energy, fertilizers, oil, and heavy industry.
Furthermore, the president reiterated the need for a strong industrial policy, associated with economic growth and social inclusion.
According to Lula, strengthening Petrobras can also expand Brazil’s international presence in strategic sectors. He even mentioned possible cooperation projects involving the Brazilian state-owned company and Pemex, the Mexican oil company.
“We want to prospect oil in deep waters in partnership with Mexican Pemex in the Gulf of Mexico,” he stated.
The president also stated that Petrobras has sufficient technical knowledge to expand operations in African countries, mainly in deep-water exploration.
Furthermore, Lula linked economic growth to the increase in the purchasing power of poorer families.
According to him, when workers start to have salaries, access to credit, education, and consumption, the entire Brazilian economy grows more rapidly.
“Our luck is to include the poor people in the Brazilian economy. When they can consume, this country will grow,” he declared.
Lula advocates for public education and equal opportunities
In the final part of the speech, the president also highlighted social and educational programs as fundamental pieces for Brazil’s economic development.
Lula mentioned initiatives such as:
- ProUni;
- Fies;
- Federal Institutes;
- Full-time School;
- Pé-de-Meia Program.
According to him, expanding access to education allows workers’ children to compete on equal terms.
“I don’t want to take anything away from anyone. But I want the child of a domestic worker to compete for the same spot as the employer’s child at a university,” he stated.
Additionally, Lula reiterated the defense of an independent foreign policy, stating that Brazil should maintain dialogue with major powers without giving up national sovereignty.
During the event, the president also revealed that he has already told the President of the United States, Donald Trump, that democracy and sovereignty are internal matters for Brazil.
The resumption of Fafen-BA comes precisely at a time when the federal government is trying to rebuild strategic industrial sectors and reduce economic vulnerabilities linked to external dependence.
The information was disclosed by “Brasil 247,” based on the official speech of President Lula during a visit to the Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant in Bahia, in Camaçari.
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