Preliminary figures suggest continued growth, reinforcing the expansion of one of the country’s most strategic agribusiness support sector
Brazil’s agricultural aviation industry entered 2026 with a fleet exceeding 2,800 aircraft, according to preliminary data shared this week by Cláudio Júnior Oliveira, operations director of Brazil’s National Union of Agricultural Aviation Companies (Sindag). He revealed the estimate during an interview Wednesday with journalist Isaac Rufino on Jornal Terraviva – one of Brazil’s leading agribusiness news programs. The full official report, he said, is expected later this month during Brazil’s annual rice and lowland grain harvest kickoff event, held in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Although still preliminary, the figures point to a clear upward trend in the sector, which has continued to expand compared with the previous year. Agricultural aviation has become a critical tool in Brazil’s large-scale farming model, providing rapid crop protection and precision applications over vast rural areas.
According to Oliveira, Mato Grosso — Brazil’s largest agricultural powerhouse — has surpassed 800 agricultural aircraft, representing a 7% increase. Rio Grande do Sul remains the second-largest fleet in the country, with nearly 400 aircraft and growth above 3%. In the latest ranking, São Paulo now holds third place, overtaking Goiás. Bahia rounds out the top five.
Beyond the leaders in total volume, some states are showing even stronger proportional growth. Pará, in northern Brazil, posted a 14% increase, followed by Tocantins, which recorded growth above 10%. Oliveira said the trend reflects the expanding reach of agricultural aviation across multiple regions, in step with the broader strengthening of Brazil’s agribusiness economy. The interview also underscored the sector’s nationwide footprint: agricultural aviation is now present in 24 of Brazil’s 26 states.
OUTSOURCING
Oliveira also highlighted a shift in how rural producers are contracting aerial application services. While some farms still invest in owning their own aircraft, outsourcing has gained momentum — particularly over the past year. “Outsourcing has grown significantly in Brazil, especially last year,” he said.
For producers, the decision often depends on farm size, crop type and the aircraft model required. Brazil operates everything from large-capacity planes — capable of carrying up to 3,100 liters — to smaller domestically manufactured models with capacities of up to 1,000 liters. The sector is also seeing increasing use of agricultural drones, reflecting a broader trend toward new technologies and diversified aerial tools in modern farming operations.
BRIEFING: Oliveira (right) revealed preliminary data from his study during an interview with Issac Rufino on the Terraviva channel’s news program
O post Brazil’s ag aviation fleet tops 2,800 aircraft apareceu primeiro em SINDAG.
