Rio Grande do Sul economy grows 3.3% in first half of 2026

The economy of Rio Grande do Sul grew by 3.3% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year. This expansion was primarily driven by the agricultural sector, which saw a 19.7% increase.

In the second quarter of 2026, the state's GDP rose by 0.2% relative to the first quarter. During the April-June period, agriculture grew by 6.6%, services by 0.4%, and industry by 0.2%. The agricultural performance was bolstered by a recovery in harvests following the 2025 drought, with soybean production increasing by 34.4% despite a slight reduction in planted area. Corn production also rose by 21.8%.

The industrial sector recorded a 1.8% annual increase, led by a 3.2% growth in manufacturing. Notable gains were seen in petroleum derivatives and biofuels, which rose 25.1%, and the automotive sector, which grew 24.4%. The services sector saw a 1.1% annual increase, with growth in commerce driven by personal and domestic goods.