TEHRAN -- Iran is likely to step up corn imports from Brazil, with a urea cargo about to set off for the South American country next week under a barter arrangement.

Iran sources 60% of its corn supplies from Brazil and the rest from Ukraine and Russia. It could import 100% of its needs from Brazil if the conflict between the east European neighbors persists, head of Iran-Brazil chamber of commerce, industry and agriculture Fakhreddin Amerian said. “The barter of urea as fertilizer with livestock input from Brazil starts next week when a urea shipment will be sent and corn will be imported in exchange,” he told reporters.