Brazil's chicken exports rise 6% in March despite Middle East crisis
Gulf conflict dents regional volumes but alternative routes keep trade flowing
1 May 2026
1 minute read
By: Brazilian chicken exports reached 504,300 tonnes in March, up 6% on the same month last year, according to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). Export revenue hit a monthly record of US$944.7 million, a 6.2% increase year on year.
For the first quarter as a whole, shipments totalled 1.456 million tonnes — 5% ahead of Q1 2025 — while revenue of US$2.764 billion was 6.9% higher than the prior year.
The results come despite an 18.5% month-on-month drop in volumes to Middle Eastern markets following the outbreak of the Gulf War and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Even so, the region received more than 100,000 tonnes in March, with over 45,000 tonnes going to countries directly affected by the strait's closure.
"Despite the comparative drop recorded in the Middle East, the significant volumes prove that the flow of exports continues to access the region through alternative routes," said ABPA president Ricardo Santin. "There are more than 100,000 tons sent to the markets of the region in March, with more than 45,000 tons destined for the countries directly impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz."
"The facilitation management carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and the sector have been effective, ensuring food supply to the areas now affected by the Gulf War," he added. "In the rest of the markets, demand continues to grow, especially in the main destinations in Asia."
China returned to pre-May 2025 import levels — before an avian influenza outbreak temporarily disrupted trade — taking 51,800 tonnes (+11.6%). Japan was the standout performer among top destinations with 42,100 tonnes (+41.3%), followed by Saudi Arabia at 38,700 tonnes (-5.3%), South Africa at 33,100 tonnes (+21.4%) and the European Union at 30,700 tonnes (+33.7%).
At state level, Paraná led with 202,000 tonnes (+5.1%), ahead of Santa Catarina (109,000 tonnes, +2.7%), Rio Grande do Sul (70,700 tonnes, +11.9%), São Paulo (32,500 tonnes, +22.6%) and Goiás (26,000 tonnes, +14.8%).
