Brazilian chicken prices once again at record levels

Brazilian chicken exports continue to grow steadily. This is shown by an analysis by the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). Brazil’s chicken meat exports reached a record level for February, reflecting a recovery in shipments to key destinations. Like in January, the European Union remains an important importer.According to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), exports of chicken meat, including fresh and processed products, totaled 493,200 tonnes in February. This represents an increase of 5.3% compared with 468,400 tonnes exported in the same month last year. Export revenues rose even faster and reached $945.4 million, which is 8.6% higher than the $870.4 million recorded in February 2025. The stronger increase in value compared with volume indicates a modest improvement in average export prices. Based on the reported figures, the average export price increased from roughly $1,858 per tonne last year to about $1,917 per tonne this year.The positive trend is also visible in the cumulative figures for the beginning of the year. In the first two months of 2026, Brazil exported 952,300 tonnes of chicken meat, compared with 911,400 tonnes in the same period of 2025. This represents growth of 4.5%. Export revenues reached $1.819 billion, an increase of 7.2% compared with $1.696 billion in the first two months of last year. According to ABPA, this represents the strongest January to February performance ever recorded in both export volume and value.Trade flow to China normalises Part of the improvement reflects the normalisation of trade flows after the avian influenza outbreak detected in Brazil’s commercial poultry production in May last year. Several importing countries introduced temporary restrictions at that time, but shipments to major markets are now returning to earlier levels. This recovery can be seen in the distribution of exports across key destinations.China regained its position as the largest importer of Brazilian chicken meat in February, with purchases of 49,400 tonnes. This volume was only 0.4% lower than in the same month last year, suggesting that shipments to this market have stabilised. The United Arab Emirates ranked second with 44,000 tonnes imported, representing an increase of 13.4%. Japan recorded particularly strong growth, importing 38,200 tonnes, which is 38% higher than a year earlier. Saudi Arabia imported 33,800 tonnes, an increase of 7.3%, while South Africa purchased 31,300 tonnes, representing growth of 27.6%. Shipments to the European Union rose strongly to 30,100 tonnes, which is 46.3% higher than in February 2025.Other important destinations included the Philippines with 30,000 tonnes, an increase of 29.2%. South Korea imported 18,500 tonnes, representing growth of 2.4%, while Singapore purchased 15,400 tonnes, an increase of 20.1%. Mexico was the only major destination showing a clear decline, with imports falling 24.3% to 15,800 tonnes.Southern states remain key drivers of exports At the regional level, Brazil’s southern states continue to dominate poultry exports. Paraná remained the leading exporting state and shipped 211,000 tonnes in February, an increase of 13.3% compared with last year. Santa Catarina followed with 104,600 tonnes, although shipments declined slightly by 1.9%. Rio Grande do Sul exported 61,100 tonnes, representing a decrease of 12.47%. Outside the southern production cluster, São Paulo exported 28,800 tonnes, which is 6.4% higher than a year earlier. Goiás recorded strong growth with 24,500 tonnes exported, representing an increase of 19.36%.