Industries linked to agriculture account for 39% of jobs in Rio Grande do Sul.

The strength of agribusiness in the economy of Rio Grande do Sul, highlighted at the 49th Expointer in Esteio, goes far beyond field production and connects directly with industry. Before the farm gate, industry supplies machinery, equipment, and other inputs necessary for agricultural production. After the farm gate, it transforms raw materials into products with higher added value. This is reflected in the job market: 39% of formal jobs in the Rio Grande do Sul industry are linked to agribusiness, according to a special survey conducted by the Fiergs System released this Wednesday (September 2nd). That's almost 342,000 jobs. In total, there are more than 14,500 industrial establishments linked to agribusiness.

The economic weight of this segment is also evident in sales and foreign trade. Industries linked to agribusiness generate R$ 296 billion in sales and account for US$ 11 billion in exports, equivalent to 52% of everything that Rio Grande do Sul exports.

According to the president of the Fiergs System, Claudio Bier, the numbers prove the relevance of the integration between agriculture and industry for the development of the state. "Agribusiness generates jobs, investment, innovation, and income. The research shows the size of this chain and the importance of continuing to strengthen competitiveness in the sector. The challenges, however, are real. High interest rates and climatic events affect producers. Creating conditions for the resumption of investments is fundamental for agribusiness to continue contributing to the development of Rio Grande do Sul," he assesses.

The state is the fifth in the country with the largest number of industries linked to agribusiness. Within this universe, there are 13,6 agro-industries, employing 297 workers and accounting for US$10,2 billion in exports, equivalent to 47% of the state's foreign sales. It also stands out in the production of agricultural inputs. There are 847 establishments in the segment, responsible for 44,5 jobs. Rio Grande do Sul occupies the second position among Brazilian states both in the number of establishments and jobs in this activity.

Industries in Rio Grande do Sul are also responsible for more than half of the agricultural tractors manufactured in Brazil, as well as representing almost 50% of the quantity of harvesting machines made in the country. In Rio Grande do Sul, the agricultural machinery and equipment segment employs 31,4 workers and generated R$ 33,4 billion in sales in 2025.

Passo Fundo, Panambi, and Santa Rosa are the three municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul with the highest number of agricultural machinery and equipment establishments. Together, they account for 104 industrial units, equivalent to 18,7% of the total number of establishments in this sub-segment in the state.