Economy of Barro Alto: nickel, farming and services

Barro Alto’s economy has two engines: nickel mining and metallurgy, which makes the municipality one of those with the highest GDP per capita in Goiás, and farming, the town’s historical base. Retail and services revolve around them.

The size of the economy

According to IBGE (Brazil’s national statistics institute, 2023):

• GDP: R$ 1.69 billion (Brazilian reais) — about 16% of the GDP of the former Ceres micro-region and 0.5% of the GDP of Goiás;
• GDP per capita: R$ 162.6 thousand.

For 2023, IBGE did not release the breakdown of value added between farming, industry and services in the municipality — so we do not publish percentages by sector. What is known is that the ferronickel industry accounts for a large share of output.

Mining and metallurgy

• Anglo American ferronickel plant, operating since 2011, with total investment of US$ 1.9 billion.
• In February 2025, Anglo American announced the sale of its nickel business in Brazil — Barro Alto and Codemin (Niquelândia) — to MMG. In June 2026, the press reported that the deal was still awaiting regulatory approvals; we found no confirmation of completion as of October 2026.
• A 2023 study using data from ANM (the national mining agency) indicates that the CFEM (royalty paid for mineral extraction) received by the municipality rose from about R$ 1.9 million in 2010 to R$ 19.8 million in 2022, with a contribution also from bauxite extracted by other companies.

Details in nickel mining in Barro Alto.

Farming

• Top natural rubber producer in Goiás in 2025 (7,400 t of coagulated latex, IBGE).
• Sugarcane (825,000 t), soybeans, maize and beef cattle (45,000 head).

Details in agribusiness in Barro Alto.

Employment

The same 2023 study, using CAGED (federal formal employment register) data, records about 3,500 formal jobs in 2022, with industry accounting for about 1,600. The employed population was 45.3% in 2022 (IBGE).

Public finances

Budget revenue collected by the City Hall totalled R$ 190.5 million in 2025 (IBGE), and transfers account for about two thirds of current revenue.

Opportunities for businesses

The presence of industry and agribusiness creates demand for industrial maintenance, transport, food, accommodation and technical services. Local suppliers can present themselves in the business directory — listing is free.