May 13, 2026
 

Brazil's chicken exports hit April record at 486,500 tonnes, up 2.2% year-on-year

The result extends a positive run for Brazilian poultry shipments, with the EU and Mexico posting strong growth even as volumes to the UAE fell sharply.

Brazil shipped 486,500 tonnes of chicken meat in April 2026, the highest volume ever recorded for the month and 2.2% above the 475,900 tonnes exported in April 2025, according to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). Export revenue for the month reached US$940.5 million, up 3.8% from US$906.1 million a year earlier.

For the first four months of 2026, cumulative shipments reached 1.943 million tonnes, a 4.3% increase on the 1.863 million tonnes recorded in the same period of 2025. Revenue over the period grew 6.1% to US$3.704 billion, compared with US$3.492 billion in January to April 2025.

China remained the top destination in April with 52,200 tonnes shipped, up 0.6% year-on-year. Japan was second with 42,300 tonnes, a 13.1% increase, followed by Saudi Arabia at 35,800 tonnes (+5.2%) and the European Union at 33,000 tonnes (+23.1%). Mexico posted the strongest growth among major markets, rising 50.2% to 27,100 tonnes.

South Africa received 26,300 tonnes (-0.8%), while the Philippines took 24,000 tonnes (-10.7%) and South Korea 15,500 tonnes (-10.2%). Singapore imported 12,600 tonnes, up 3.7%. The sharpest decline was recorded in the United Arab Emirates, where volumes fell 52.7% to 19,100 tonnes, reflecting the more complex geopolitical environment affecting Middle Eastern trade flows.

Ricardo Santin, President of ABPA, said the international landscape remains dynamic but broadly favourable for Brazilian animal protein. "We are observing consistent growth in strategic markets in Asia, the European Union and Latin America, in addition to the expansion of higher value-added destinations," he said, noting that specific adjustments in certain Middle Eastern markets are occurring within a more complex geopolitical context.

Santin said the four-month cumulative performance underscores Brazil's competitive position. "Brazil continues to expand its global presence based on productive efficiency, sanitary safety and supply capacity. Even with the conflict in the Middle East, the sector managed to fulfil the deliveries demanded by the region," he said, adding that results so far confirm a positive export outlook for the sector in 2026.

- ABPA