Brazil exported 485,000 metric tons of chicken meat in September, a 22.1% increase from the same month a year ago and the second-highest volume ever recorded by the country in a single month, Reuters reported, citing meat lobby group ABPA on Monday.

Brazil is the world's largest chicken meat exporter. The surge in September was driven by strong demand from several markets and came despite a drop in shipments to top importer China.

Exports to China decreased 3.4% year-on-year to 55,100 tons. ABPA noted, however, that shipments to Asia's top economy far exceeded the relatively low volume of 16,000 tons exported in August.

Among other top Brazilian customers, shipments last month increased 17.6% to the United Arab Emirates, 48.6% to Japan, 5.9% to Saudi Arabia, 38.2% to South Africa, 57% to Mexico and 58% to the European Union, ABPA said.

Export revenue jumped 32.6% to $953.8 million.

"Eight of the top 10 importers posted strong increases, and even among those with lower performance on a monthly basis there was good news - it's the case of China, which went back to importing more than 50,000 tons," ABPA head Ricardo Santin said.

"With the increase in average export prices, we also had a significant rise in revenues in September," he added.

With the September performance, Brazil's chicken meat exports year-to-date are now up compared to 2023, after being in negative territory through August. ABPA expects the positive trend to remain in place until the end of 2024.

The volume exported last month was second only to March 2023, when Brazil shipped 514,600 tons, ABPA said.