Brazil's cooperatives post record growth in 2025, credit sector tops R$1 trillion in assets

Brazil's cooperative sector posted strong growth in 2025. Credit cooperatives reached a historic R$1.036 trillion in total assets, up 17% from the previous year, with deposits and agribusiness credit letters driving a 17.6% rise in capital collection. The sector now serves 59% of municipalities and counts 21.2 million members, representing 8.4% of the population, while its loan portfolio grew 13.1%, outpacing the broader financial system.

In the Vale do Sinos region of Rio Grande do Sul, 15 local cooperatives recorded revenue of R$1.6 billion, a 15.9% increase over 2024. The region’s cooperatives employed about 2,700 workers, with the health sector contributing R$1 billion in turnover. The growth underscores the cooperatives' role in job creation and provision of essential services amid a challenging economic environment.