Brazil sets new poultry export record as global demand heats up - ABPA
March exports surge 13.8% year-on-year, topping 476,000 tons
10 April 2025
2 minute read
By: Brazilian chicken meat exports reached 476,000 short tons in March, marking a 13.8% increase year-on-year, according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), citing data from Brazil’s Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex). The total includes both fresh and processed products.
Export revenue jumped even higher, climbing 18.5% to $889.9 million, compared to $751.3 million in March 2024.
In the first quarter of 2025, Brazil shipped 1.53 million short tons of chicken meat—up 13.7% from the 1.34 million short tons exported during the same period last year. Revenue reached $2.59 billion, a 20.8% rise from the $2.14 billion recorded in Q1 2024.
China remained Brazil’s top market in March, importing 51,150 short tons, a 19.3% increase. Other leading destinations included:
- Saudi Arabia: 44,650 tons (+15.7%)
- United Arab Emirates: 35,480 tons (–21%)
- Japan: 32,830 tons (–5.5%)
- South Africa: 29,980 tons (–4.7%)
- Philippines: 27,650 tons (+43.6%)
- European Union: 25,350 tons (+29.9%)
- Mexico: 22,490 tons (+52.4%)
- South Korea: 16,430 tons (+18.4%)
- Iraq: 16,430 tons (–7.6%)
At the state level, Paraná remained Brazil’s largest poultry exporter, shipping 211,900 short tons in March, up 11.6% year-on-year. It was followed by:
- Santa Catarina: 116,960 tons (+12.1%)
- Rio Grande do Sul: 69,690 tons (+11.2%)
- São Paulo: 29,240 tons (+19.9%)
- Goiás: 24,910 tons (+18.6%)
“The average monthly export volume exceeded 507,000 short tons in the first quarter—an unprecedented milestone in the sector’s history,” said ABPA president Ricardo Santin. “Growth in high-value markets has also helped drive stronger revenue increases compared to volume growth, suggesting that our projections for the year may be surpassed.”
