Brazilian chicken exports top US$1 billion in May, setting revenue record

Brazilian chicken meat exports, including both fresh and processed products, reached a historic milestone in May 2026, according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). For the first time in the sector’s history, monthly export revenue surpassed US$1 billion, totaling US$1.009 billion.

The result was 36.1% higher than in May 2025, when exports generated US$741.2 million.

By volume, shipments totaled 509,900 tonnes, the highest figure ever recorded for the month of May and up 29.6% from 393,400 tonnes in the same month last year. The comparison base was lower because May 2025 was affected by the only case of highly pathogenic avian influenza ever recorded in Brazil’s commercial poultry sector, which has since been overcome.

With the May performance, Brazilian chicken meat exports reached 2453 million tonnes from January to May, up 8.7% from 2257 million tonnes in the same period of 2025.

Revenue in the first five months of 2026 rose 11.3% to US$4.714 billion, compared with US$4.234 billion in the same period last year.

China was the leading destination for Brazilian chicken exports in May, with 48,300 tonnes shipped, up 34.7%. It was followed by Japan, with 43,200 tonnes, up 53.9%; the European Union, with 40,200 tonnes, up 61.6%; Saudi Arabia, with 39,100 tonnes, up 27.5%; the United Arab Emirates, with 32,300 tonnes, up 1.2%; South Africa, with 31,400 tonnes, up 22.8%; Mexico, with 23,500 tonnes, up 40.9%; the Philippines, with 20,800 tonnes, down 14.2%; South Korea, with 18,200 tonnes, up 36.4%; and the United Kingdom, with 12,200 tonnes, up 18.8%.

Among exporting states, Paraná remained Brazil’s leader, with 213,900 tonnes shipped in May, up 35.1%. Santa Catarina followed with 113,900 tonnes, up 39.7%; Rio Grande do Sul with 62,900 tonnes, up 21.3%; São Paulo with 27,800 tonnes, up 10.5%; and Goiás with 26,400 tonnes, up 26.4%.

Maritime cargo throughput data confirms that Brazil’s leading chicken export ports in the first four months of 2026 were concentrated in the country’s southern region, led by Paranaguá, Itapoá, and Navegantes. The chart below shows the market share of the top 10 ports in Brazil, according to data from the DataLiner platform:

Top Chicken Export Ports | Jan-Apr 2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

“The results were achieved in an environment marked by global logistics uncertainty and the effects of tensions in the Middle East, especially on maritime routes linked to the Strait of Hormuz. Even in this context, Brazil significantly expanded its presence in strategic and higher-value markets such as Japan, the European Union, South Korea and China, while maintaining a strong position in the Middle East and opening opportunities in emerging markets. This demonstrates the diversification of Brazil’s export basket and the competitiveness of our production chain,” said ABPA President Ricardo Santin.

Source: ABPA

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