Overview of contemporary cooperativism in Brazil

Abstract

The cooperatives have a great importance for brazilian economy, considering their universal principles of origin. In this context, the studies for cooperatives quantitative analysis have become important. This article aims to analyze the participation of cooperatives in brazilian economy. To achieve this aim, indicators for the cooperatives census, billing and exports were selected. According to the results in 2008, the exports have reached US$ 4.01 billion and billing, US$ 37.73 billion and 254.56 thousand direct jobs in 7,682 cooperatives. Considering the leading position of agricultural cooperatives in cooperatives exports, the projections of food demand in the world promotes opportunities for the sector.