The Santa Catarina mountain range has a strong agricultural profile, with emphasis on the largest state production of apples, pears, garlic, beans and potatoes. In addition to this production, there is the significant forestry production (pine reforestation), a decisive factor in the leverage and consolidation of the pulp and paper, timber and furniture segments of the Macro-region.

In Lages, the economy is basically sustained by livestock farming, agriculture (with emphasis on winemaking), the timber industry (with emphasis on the production of paper and cellulose) and rural tourism, and its industrial park consists largely of enterprises linked to the timber production chain, such as lumber mills, staple factories, factories of doors, thresholds, door frames and similar products. Also noteworthy are companies linked to the metalworking sector, which plays an important role in generating employment and income in the municipality. There are companies that are headquarters of multinationals in the segments of tractor parts and other land vehicles. Some industries can be highlighted in the beer sector, exporters of chicken-based foods, and paper and cellulose companies.