Cotrijal turns 68 with new investments and intercooperation

For 68 years, Cotrijal has been a part of the lives of rural producers in Rio Grande do Sul. Founded in the 1950s, when wheat dominated the region's crops, it was born from a union of farmers seeking alternatives to facilitate the production, storage, and marketing of the crop. Since then, the cooperative has grown, transformed, and become a benchmark in supporting its members, offering technical support, access to modern facilities, new technologies, and improved trading conditions.

This Sunday, September 14th, Cotrijal celebrates another anniversary in a year marked by both great achievements and challenges. Among the main achievements is the creation of Soli3, an inter-cooperation center formed with Cotripal and Cotrisal. The initiative will result in a new soybean processing and biodiesel production plant, to be installed in Cruz Alta, Rio Grande do Sul, with an investment of R$1,25 billion and scheduled to begin operations in 2028. The plant will strengthen the industrialization and value-added aspects of soybeans, boosting regional development.

"Today, Cotrijal is present in 53 municipalities, with over 17 members. We remain focused on grain and milk production, but we're also advancing in industrialization, as we already do at CCGL and now, in partnership with Cotripal and Cotrisal, in soybean processing," says President Nei César Manica.

Support in challenging times

The year 2025 has also been difficult for Rio Grande do Sul's producers, who faced drought in the summer and accumulated losses in recent years due to weather phenomena. This situation increased debt and required the cooperative to work even closer with its members.

"Cotrijal's priority is to be at the producer's side, offering technical guidance, credit, and support to help them stay in the field. We work with governments and institutions to find solutions for infrastructure, financing, and debt extensions, in addition to mobilizing our own resources to ensure the sector's sustainability," Manica emphasizes.

These challenges are also impacting the cooperative's revenue, which is expected to reach R$2025 billion in 2024, similar to its 4,84 revenue. To address this situation, management continues to focus on strategic planning, focusing on balanced costs, strengthening relationships with members, and ongoing employee development.

New initiatives and strengthening of Expodireto

Among the year's milestones was the opening of the Albardão business unit in Rio Pardo, Rio Grande do Sul, expanding its regional presence and facilitating grain delivery. Another new development was the launch of the Brotinho Program, a pilot program focused on cooperative education for children, involving the children and grandchildren of members.

The cooperative also celebrated the 25th edition of Expodireto Cotrijal, a trade show established as one of the largest agribusiness fairs in Latin America. "Our focus is to bring knowledge and technology to producers, with innovations that help reduce costs and increase productivity," Manica emphasizes.

68th anniversary institutional campaign

To mark the occasion, Cotrijal launched its new institutional campaign, reinforcing values ​​of trust, pride, and closeness to its members and communities. The material is already circulating on radio, in magazines, on its website, on social media, and other communication channels, highlighting the cooperative's role in valuing rural families and fostering rural succession.

"Celebrating this trajectory is a source of pride for employees, associates, and communities. Cotrijal grows because it grows alongside its producers, always guided by partnership, development, and sustainability," says Vice President Enio Schroeder.