Agricultural cooperatives concentrate the greatest generation of wealth in MG

Agricultural cooperatives remain the main economic force within the cooperative system in Minas Gerais and, in 2025, expanded their participation in the state's economy at a time when rural producers are seeking scale, access to markets and credit to fund operations.

Until last year, the sector had 196 cooperatives, with 228,800 members and more than 21,000 employees, according to data from the 2026 Mineiro Cooperativism Yearbook, released by the Ocemg System in June.

The economic relevance of the sector can be measured by the advancement of cooperativism in the Minas Gerais economy as a whole. In 2025, cooperatives generated R$184 billion and now account for 15.9% of the State's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Although the yearbook does not segregate the contribution of the agricultural sector to this total, it remains one of the most traditional and widespread segments of the system, with a strong presence in regions such as Southern Minas, Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba.

Among the most representative chains are coffee, milk, grains, livestock and horticulture. More than channels for marketing production, cooperatives have been expanding their operations in stages of greater added value, investing in storage, industrialization, technical assistance, traceability and financial services for members.

The movement occurs in a business environment divided between financing difficulties and high interest rates, in addition to the pressure of international prices, which reshape the price paid to producers.

In this context, experts from the Ocemg system assess that cooperativism has been consolidated as a strategy to dilute costs, share investments and expand farmers' bargaining power.

Scenario of cooperatives in Minas Gerais
Cooperatives in Minas Gerais have strengthened the state economy more than industries, with massive agricultural activity.

"The 10 largest cooperatives in Minas Gerais generate more revenue than many business groups", highlights the report, reflecting the advancement of agricultural, financial, health, infrastructure and consumer cooperatives.

In total, Minas Gerais has 4.23 million members distributed across 788 cooperatives. Tax revenue generated by the sector reached R$4.2 billion in 2025, an increase of 13.3% over the previous year.

Considering families, Ocemg estimates that around 59.6% of the Minas Gerais population is in some way linked to cooperativism.

The numbers show that cooperativism went from occupying a niche restricted to certain production chains to assuming a relevant role in the economic structure of Minas Gerais last year, as highlighted by the president of the Ocemg system.

According to Ocemg, considering the indirect impact on members' families, approximately 59.6% of the Minas Gerais population maintains some type of link with the cooperative system.

Indicator
Minas Cooperativism

Share in GDP
15.9%

Economic movement
R$ 184 billion

Cooperative members
4.23 million

Employees
64 thousand

Taxes
R$ 4.2 billion

A new economic geography of Minas

The distribution of cooperative members throughout the Minas Gerais territory helps to design its own economic dynamics, distinct from that traditionally associated with the State's industrial centers, shows the Yearbook.

The Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte concentrates the largest contingent of cooperative members, with around 985 thousand people. Next comes the Triângulo Mineiro, with approximately 644 thousand members, and the South of Minas, with 632 thousand members.

The regions stand out for the strong presence of credit cooperatives and agribusiness, especially linked to the coffee, milk, grains and livestock chains.

The advance of cooperativism in regions with a predominantly agricultural profile also indicates a movement towards the internalization of financial services, technical assistance, marketing and adding value to rural production.

In many municipalities in Minas Gerais, cooperatives perform functions that go beyond economic activity, acting as agents of financial inclusion, professional training and local income retention, mainly in the interior.

Source: CNN