Delinquency in Brazil’s rural credit sector reached a new historic record in January 2026, extending an upward trend that began in 2025 and signaling growing challenges for rural producers in meeting their debt obligations with banks. According to official data from the Central Bank, the rate of delays exceeding 90 days in rural credit for individuals reached 7.3% in January, above the 6.5% recorded in December 2025 and well above the 2.7% registered a year earlier. This is the highest level since the historical series began in 2011.
The increase in delinquency has been driven by high interest rates and tight financial margins, which raise financing costs and pressure farmers’ ability to repay their debts, even in a context of strong harvests. In market-rate operations, delinquency is even higher, reaching around 13.5% in rural credit for individuals—reflecting the higher cost and risk associated with these credit lines.
Experts say that restoring financial health in the agricultural sector will depend on a substantial reduction in the benchmark interest rate and better agricultural commodity prices, as well as stricter financial management and improved commercialization strategies. Meanwhile, banks are reviewing lending criteria and requiring stronger guarantees from producers, which may limit access to credit and prolong the scenario of elevated delinquency.