Paraná ports handle nearly half of Brazil’s chicken exports

Ports in Paraná handled 47.6% of all of Brazil’s chicken exports in January 2026, reinforcing the state’s position as the world’s leading export corridor for poultry. In 2025 alone, the Port of Paranaguá shipped more than 2.8 million metric tons of frozen chicken.

According to updated Comex Stat data, Brazil exported 199,000 metric tons of frozen chicken in January, generating $365 million in FOB revenue. The United Arab Emirates, South Africa and China were the main destinations.

Paraná is Brazil’s largest poultry producer, supported by an industrial network of 36 processing plants. “Our logistics expertise and strategic location for cargo flows from the South, Southeast and Midwest regions — as well as neighboring countries — are essential to supporting Brazil’s high productivity,” said Luiz Fernando Garcia, CEO of Portos do Paraná.

Port infrastructure is another competitive advantage. Frozen meats are transported in refrigerated containers (reefers), which require uninterrupted power supply to maintain temperature control. The Paranaguá Container Terminal (TCP) operates the largest reefer storage capacity in South America, with 5,268 plug-in points.

Beef Exports Strengthen Performance

Beef shipments through Paraná’s ports also posted strong results, ranking second nationwide in January with a 27.7% share. Exports totaled 122,000 metric tons, primarily destined for China, the United States and the UAE, generating $690 million in FOB revenue.

Combined chicken and beef exports totaled 272,000 metric tons in January, representing 37.9% of Brazil’s total protein exports and $728 million in FOB value, consolidating Paranaguá’s role as the country’s main gateway for animal protein exports.

Soybeans Lead Bulk Shipments

Total cargo throughput across Paraná’s ports reached 5.29 million metric tons in January — the highest January volume in the port authority’s history. The previous record, set last year, was 4.71 million metric tons, marking a 12.3% increase year over year.

Soybean exports surged 98% compared with January 2025, totaling 811,900 metric tons. Corn shipments rose 12% to 387,000 metric tons.

Bagged sugar exports climbed 199% year over year to 397,000 metric tons. Last year’s figures had been affected by a weaker sugarcane harvest, ample global supply and elevated inventories in Asian markets.

Paranaguá also maintained its leadership in vegetable oil exports, which rose 52% year over year to more than 123,900 metric tons.

Imports Remain Strong

Fertilizer imports totaled 882,000 metric tons in January, up 9% from a year earlier.

Other imports recorded sharp gains, including malt and barley, which increased 383% and 364%, respectively.

Sustained Growth Trend

Paraná’s ports have maintained consistent growth momentum. In 2025, they posted the highest percentage increase in cargo volume among Brazilian ports, rising 10.1% year over year. Total throughput climbed from 66.7 million metric tons in 2024 to 73.5 million metric tons, including both exports and imports.

Higher productivity also boosted operations at the Paranaguá Truck Screening Yard, which handled a record 507,915 trucks in 2025 — a 29.5% increase over 2024. The 330,000-square-meter facility, with capacity for 1,000 trucks, manages the organization and flow of solid bulk agricultural cargo entering the port.

Source: Portos do Paraná

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