At The Heart Of Mato Grosso, The City Of Sorriso Has Become A Global Reference In Maize And Soybean Cultivation, Moving Billions A Year And Attracting Giants Of The Agriculture Business, Such As The Bom Futuro Group And SLC Agrícola.
The city of Sorriso, in Mato Grosso, has established itself as the largest producer of maize in Brazil and one of the most important centers of agriculture worldwide. According to data from IBGE, in 2022 the municipality generated over R$ 11 billion from the sector, with a large part of this amount coming from the second maize harvest, known as safrinha. With just over 100,000 inhabitants, Sorriso produces more grains than large regions traditionally focused on agriculture.
The city’s expansion began in the 1980s when the government encouraged farmers from the South of the country to occupy land in northern Mato Grosso. The fertile soil and favorable climate transformed the region into an agricultural hub. Today, over 600,000 hectares are cultivated in Sorriso, with an emphasis on the rotation between soybeans and maize.
One of the secrets of local productivity lies in precision agriculture. Drones, climate sensors, and professional management ensure efficiency and high yields, with farms reaching over 100 sacks of maize per hectare, placing the municipality among the national leaders in productivity.
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Even after China surpassed Russia in the volume of fertilizers sold to Brazil in 2025, for the first time in history, Russia remains a strategic partner and has signed a new agribusiness cooperation plan with Brasília focusing on the input.
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Innovation developed by researchers in Mato Grosso converts plant ash into sustainable fertilizer and could revolutionize agribusiness by combining circular economy, waste reduction, and intelligent use of agricultural residues.
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German machine with 1,100 horsepower that transforms diesel into electricity and distributes it to each of the four wheels arrives in Brazilian agriculture through Bahia and promises to do the work of a tractor, a sprayer, and a harvester all by itself.
Giants Of Maize: Bom Futuro And SLC Agrícola
Among the major producers in the region is the Maggi family, owners of the Bom Futuro group, considered the largest producer of maize in Brazil. From this crop alone, the company plants around 110,000 hectares, yielding approximately 700,000 tons per year. To ensure storage, it operates 22 warehouses spread throughout the state, receiving both maize and soybeans.
Another heavyweight is SLC Agrícola, which plans to increase its planted area for the 2024/2025 harvest. The company is expected to exceed 736,000 hectares, prioritizing soybeans, cotton, and maize, with the latter occupying 16% of the area. This growth comes from strategic partnerships, such as the partnership with Agropecuária Rica and new contracts in Piauí.
In addition to maize and soybeans, Sorriso also stands out in the production of cotton, rice, and beans. The practice of crop rotation helps preserve the soil and enhance financial results, keeping the municipality at the top of the national ranking.
Infrastructure And The Future Of Production

The advancement of Sorriso is directly linked to logistics. The city is crossed by BR-163, which connects production to the port of Miritituba in Pará, reducing costs and expanding exports. New railway projects are expected to further enhance the region’s competitiveness in the coming years.
The city also invests in practices of livestock-crop-forest integration (ILPF), which combine agriculture, cattle raising, and reforestation areas, making land use more sustainable. Local producers are also investing in bioinputs, renewable energy, and cutting-edge technologies to face climate challenges and market fluctuations.
According to a report from the Dori do Agro channel, the transformation of Sorriso from a little-known village to a billion-dollar agricultural hub is the result of planning, training, and continuous innovation. The municipality is an example of how Brazil has been consolidating itself among the largest producers of maize in the world, behind only the United States and China.
And you, did you already know Sorriso’s role as the capital of maize in Brazil or were you surprised by the scale of this agricultural hub?


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