In 2025, cooperatives in Santa Catarina consolidated one of the greatest expansion cycles in its history. Cooperatives linked to the OCESC System (Organization of Cooperatives of the State of Santa Catarina) generated R$ 105.7 billion last year, an increase of 15.8% compared to the previous year, with growth almost three times higher than the increase in the Brazilian Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which stood at 2.3%.
In addition to the increase in revenue, the OCESC survey shows a strong expansion in surplus, equivalent to the profit in cooperatives, which grew 30.8% and reached R$7.3 billion. The resources will be allocated to investments, statutory funds and distribution among cooperative members.
Another fact that reinforces the economic and social weight of the sector was the growth in the number of members. In just one year, more than 370 thousand people joined cooperatives in Santa Catarina, bringing the total to 5.07 million members — equivalent to 61% of the state’s population.
“We are the most cooperative state in Brazil”, says Vanir Zanatta, president of OCESC.
Between 2020 and 2025, total cooperative revenues more than doubled, jumping from R$46.8 billion to R$105.7 billion — accumulated growth of 126% in just six years.
Agricultural cooperatives also increased industrial investments in 2025. R$1.34 billion were invested in modernizing factories, expanding units and building new industrial plants.
For 2026, the sector foresees new investments of R$1.53 billion, including its own resources and contracted financing.
Credit leads in associates
Credit cooperatives continue to be the main entry point for cooperatives in Santa Catarina. The segment currently has more than 4 million members and recorded total revenues of R$28.7 billion in 2025, growth of 36% compared to the previous year.
Next come the infrastructure sectors, mainly focused on the distribution of electricity, with 469 thousand members, and consumer cooperatives, with 467 thousand members.
Despite the advance of credit, the great economic engine of cooperatives in Santa Catarina.
The state’s 45 agricultural cooperatives accounted for 60% of the system’s overall revenues and 62% of the direct jobs generated by cooperatives in Santa Catarina. The segment ended the year with operating revenue of R$63 billion, an increase of 10% compared to the previous period.
The sector was also the biggest generator of vacancies, creating more than 4 thousand new jobs in 2025. Currently, agricultural cooperatives maintain around 68 thousand direct jobs.
Exports gain strength
The performance of agricultural cooperatives was also reflected in foreign trade.
Those from Santa Catarina totaled US$2.18 billion in 2025, representing 17.9% of Santa Catarina’s total foreign sales and almost 39% of state poultry and pork shipments.
The main products exported were animal proteins, fresh cereals, fertilizers, seeds, fruits, dairy products and processed cereals.
According to OCESC, the trend is towards expanding the presence of cooperatives in international trade, especially due to their strong participation in milk, poultry and swine, sectors that support a large part of Santa Catarina’s agribusiness.
Today, agriculture accounts for around 30% of the state’s GDP and approximately 70% of Santa Catarina’s exports.
