Brazil industry and agribusiness face credit crisis amid high interest rates

Brazilian industry and agribusiness sectors are facing significant financial strain due to high interest rates and restricted credit access. A survey by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) reveals that 76% of industrial companies experiencing difficulties in obtaining short-to-medium-term credit cited high interest rates as the primary obstacle. For long-term financing, this figure remains high at nearly 69%. Small and medium-sized enterprises are disproportionately affected, with higher rates of credit refusal compared to large corporations.

The agricultural sector is also under pressure. Aprosoja Brasil has alerted presidential candidates to a rising rural debt crisis, noting that rural credit delinquency reached 9.7% in August 2026, with R$ 205 billion in problematic credit. This financial instability is driving concerns regarding the potential sale of rural properties and assets to cover liabilities. Additionally, the agricultural cooperative Cotribá has called for an extraordinary assembly to discuss voluntary dissolution due to a R$ 1.4 billion debt to banks and suppliers.

Beyond interest rates, structural issues such as bureaucracy, the requirement for real estate guarantees, and inadequate infrastructure continue to hinder economic expansion in both the industrial and agricultural sectors.