In the first quarter of 2023, China further established itself as the main destination market for Brazilian chicken meat, according to the Brazilian Poultry Association (FACTA). Its imports were practically a quarter higher than those of a year ago, while the revenue generated increased nearly 50%. But the novelty is the placement of South Africa as the second largest importer of the product, ahead of traditional importers such as Japan and Saudi Arabia.

It does not escape, however, that South African imports had little added value. Because while the volume received represented 8% of the total exported by Brazil in the quarter, the resulting exchange rate revenue corresponded to less than 3% of the total revenue. Almost the same is observed, for example, in relation to the Philippines (6º largest importer), whose volume represented 4.23% of the total and the revenue only 1.90%.

It also draws attention to the increase of practically 70% of Saudi Arabia. But as the product destined for the United Arab Emirates fell by more than 20%, everything indicates that only the gateway to Brazilian chicken meat has changed. In any case, the total volume allocated to these two importers increased by close to 8%, generating 18% higher revenue.

However, the most significant advance remains that of Iraq, because the volume and revenue of the product destined for it registers an increase not far from 500%, an index that makes Iraqi imports rise, in volume, from 26th to 9th position.

In the same period, exports to Mexico, which remained stable, registering an increase of only 1%. Worse, in this case, the retraction in the average price of the product destined for the Mexican market. Hence a reduction (of just over 11%) in the resulting exchange rate revenue.