Brazil industry cites high interest rates as primary credit barrier

A survey by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) reveals that high interest rates remain the most significant obstacle for Brazilian industrial companies seeking credit. According to the Special Survey 107, 76% of companies facing difficulties in accessing short- or medium-term financing identified high rates as a major barrier, while 69% cited them for long-term operations.

Other notable challenges include requirements for real guarantees, cited by 33.4% of companies for short-term credit, and bureaucracy. The report highlights that while interest rates have seen a slight decrease compared to 2025, the actual cost of credit remains high for businesses. Additionally, nearly half of the industrial companies surveyed did not attempt to contract or renew short- or medium-term credit during the period.

In the broader economic context, Brazilian families are also facing financial pressure. While the number of families with overdue accounts saw a slight decrease in September, the proportion of income dedicated to debt payments rose to 29.6%. Meanwhile, the rural credit sector is experiencing significant shifts, with rural credit delinquency rising sharply to R$ 38.4 billion as of April 2026.