Brazil's chicken exports hit record high in first half of 2026
June shipments surge 40.6% to 482,800 tonnes
23 July 2026
1 minute read
By: Brazil exported 2.936 million tonnes of chicken meat in the first half of 2026, up 12.9% from the same period last year and the best first-half result in the history of Brazilian chicken meat exports, the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein reported.
Revenue for the period reached $5.7 billion, up 17% from $4.871 billion in the first half of 2025.
June alone accounted for 482,800 tonnes, a 40.6% increase on June 2025, with revenue rising 54.7% to $985.5 million. ABPA noted that part of the high year-on-year growth in some markets reflects a low comparison base in June 2025, when exports were affected by temporary restrictions following a single case of highly pathogenic avian influenza on a commercial farm in Brazil, which has since been resolved.
China led June destinations with 50,100 tonnes, followed by Japan with 46,600 tonnes, the United Arab Emirates with 46,200 tonnes and Saudi Arabia with 33,100 tonnes. Notable growth was recorded in the European Union, up 250.7% to 28,000 tonnes, South Africa, up 946.3% to 26,300 tonnes, and Mexico, up 728.8% to 25,400 tonnes.
Paraná led Brazilian states in June exports with 199,300 tonnes, followed by Santa Catarina with 103,300 tonnes and Rio Grande do Sul with 56,700 tonnes.
"The results of the first semester were achieved in an environment marked by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the logistical challenges arising from this context, especially in the maritime routes associated with the Strait of Hormuz," said ABPA president Ricardo Santin.
"Even in the face of this scenario, Brazil has significantly expanded its presence in strategic and value-added markets, such as Japan, the European Union, South Korea and China," he added.
