Chile: CORPOCHILE Subsidy Program for Replacing Lime with Magnesium Fertilizer to Improve Soil

Rongqing Chemical is a China original factory exporter specializing in Kieserite fertilizers and Magnesium Sulfate, and custom-processed magnesium fertilizer granules from magnesium ore regions. In early 2025, one of our Chilean magnesium fertilizer client repeated his kieserite and magnesium sulfate order, he inadvertently mentioned the CORPOCHILE’s subsidy policy regarding “Replacing Lime with Magnesium Fertilizer for Soil Improvement.” Here, Rongqing Chemical shares the information we’ve gathered with Chilean magnesium fertilizer importers and fertilizer distributors seeking to source magnesium fertilizer as Kieserite, Kieserite with calcium, calcium magnesium silicate, and fully water-soluble magnesium sulfate from China.

Among all magnesium fertilizers, Kieserite and Magnesium Sulfate serves not only as a vital dual-element secondary nutrient but also regulates soil pH and improves soil structure. It is particularly effective for ameliorating special soil conditions like saline-alkali and acidic soils. Due to these advantages, Chile’s CORPOCHILE has launched a subsidy program for importing Chinese magnesium fertilizers.

I. Policy Content:

I -1. Policy Objectives
• Soil Improvement: Replace traditional lime (CaCO₃) with magnesium fertilizer in Chile’s arid regions (e.g., Atacama Desert) and acidic soils (pH < 5.5) to reduce carbon emissions (lime production is energy-intensive).
• Agricultural Sustainability: Promote magnesium fertilizer application techniques to reduce reliance on imported lime (Chile’s lime self-sufficiency rate is only 60%).

I -2. Subsidy Details
• Financial Subsidy: 20% subsidy on procurement costs based on project area (capped at $500/hectare).
• Technical Support: Free soil testing, fertilizer application plan design, and farmer training.
•Priority Procurement: Selected projects gain preferential supply channels through CORPOCHILE-affiliated agricultural supply chains (e.g., Climax Agro Resources).

II. Project Application Process and Key Steps

II -1. Preliminary Preparation
• Partner Distributors: Sign cooperation agreements with local distributors (e.g., Climax Agro, Agrochile) to assist with material submission and field trials.
• Soil Testing: Commission the Chilean Agricultural Research Institute (ICA) or a third-party laboratory (e.g., SERNAGEOMIN) to issue a soil magnesium content report (target value: exchangeable magnesium <20 mg/kg).

II -2. Application Materials Checklist
1. Material Name
2. Project Application Form: Include field location, area, crop type, and historical fertilization records.
3. Soil Test Report: Must include pH, magnesium ion concentration, organic matter content, and other relevant data.
4. Magnesium Fertilizer Replacement Plan: Provide comparative data on soil improvement effects, cost analysis, and carbon emissions calculations between traditional lime (CaCO₃) and magnesium sulfate (Kieserite/MgSO₄).
5. Distributor Cooperation Agreement: Clearly define the distributor’s responsibilities regarding logistics and technical support.
6. Farmer Letters of Intent (minimum 50 households) demonstrating market demand, including farmer signatures and contact information.

II -3. Submission and Review
•Online Submission: Upload electronic materials via CORPOCHILE’s official website (www.corpochile.cl).
• Initial Review: Feedback provided within 5 business days; incomplete materials require supplementation.
• Field Trials: After passing preliminary review, conduct small-scale trials (minimum 0.5 hectares) within one month, subject to ICA expert verification.

II -4. Subsidy Disbursement
• Funding Release: Upon successful trials, subsidies will be disbursed via distributor accounts by March of the following year.
• Follow-up Monitoring: Annual effectiveness reports (crop yield, soil magnesium content changes) must be submitted.

Based on Chilean agricultural market demand, local soil and climate conditions, fertilizer application practices, and Rongqing Chemical’s prior export records of magnesium sulfate fertilizers to Chile, Rongqing Chemical strongly recommends the following Kieserite granule specifications (Water Soluble MgO%- Total MgO%) for import into the Chilean market: 5%-27%; 10%-27%; 15%-27%; 20%-27%.

The above Chilean fertilizer import policies are for reference only. Consult local authorities for specifics. Please Chilean fertilizer buyers or importers seeking to source Kieserite fertilizer and fully water-soluble magnesium sulfate from China may contact specialized Chinese manufacturers and exporters.