SAO PAULO, July 19 (Reuters) - Nutrien ( NTR ), the

world's largest potash producer, will stop blending fertilizers

in Brazil after deciding to shut its last two active processing

plants in the country, said three people familiar with the

latest phase of a major turnaround effort.

The sources, who requested anonymity as the move has not

been announced, said the plan to halt blending operations at

Nutrien's ( NTR ) Itapetininga and Araxa units is another step to

reposition the company on the local market.

The Canadian firm declined to comment.

Nutrien ( NTR ) is shifting its focus to reselling farm inputs

through its network of local retailers in Brazil as part of a

sharp strategic shift after acquisitions and investments failed

to yield the expected returns.

In May 2022, when Nutrien ( NTR ) was still investing to boost

fertilizer blending capacity in Brazil, the company said it

planned to have a total of 12 such facilities in the country.

Two years on, Nutrien ( NTR ) indefinitely halted three of its five

Brazilian blenders as part of the ongoing reorganization. Two of

the sources said Nutrien ( NTR ) has also closed several Brazil retail

locations this year due to tough market conditions.

The company declined to comment on its dwindling retail

network in Brazil, a major importer of fertilizers.

Nutrien ( NTR ) has been working on a turnaround in the region since

April 2023, when senior executives started leaving the company

amid reorganization.

Last year, Nutrien ( NTR ) booked a $465 million impairment charge

related to its South American acquisitions. In March, Reuters

first reported Nutrien ( NTR ) decided to sell assets in the region.

As Nutrien ( NTR ) shrinks to improve results, the departure of

another three director-level Brazilian employees was announced

this week in an internal memo seen by Reuters.

Nutrien ( NTR ) declined to comment on the departures.

(Reporting by Ana Mano; Editing by Brad Haynes and Arun Koyyur)