Brazil chicken exports to soar amid global avian influenza outbreaks

BRAZIL – Brazil’s poultry sector is poised for another record-breaking year as avian influenza outbreaks disrupt production and exports in key competitor nations. 

With over 34 countries reporting cases of the disease since the beginning of 2025, demand for Brazilian chicken has surged, prompting expectations that export projections will be revised upward.

The Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) had initially projected that the country’s chicken exports would reach 5.4 million tons in 2025, a 1.9% increase from the previous year. 

However, strong sales in the year’s first weeks suggest this estimate may be conservative. ABPA President Ricardo Santin stated that while the original forecast was at the upper limit of projections, the association is closely monitoring monthly data before making an official revision.

Brazil’s disease-free status remains a crucial factor in its export advantage. Unlike its competitors, the country has not recorded any avian influenza outbreaks on commercial poultry farms. 

Meanwhile, the United States, Brazil’s main rival in global chicken exports, is grappling with more than 60 active outbreaks. 

Other major poultry producers, including the United Kingdom (64 outbreaks), Germany (76), Poland (40), and the Netherlands (36), are facing similar challenges.

Strong demand driving export growth

The rising demand for Brazilian poultry is already evident in trade figures. In January, chicken shipments increased by nearly 10%, driven by strong orders from China, the European Union, and the Philippines. 

This surge in exports contributed to a 20.9% jump in export revenue, pushing earnings past the US$1 billion mark.

ABPA expects this momentum to continue in February, with preliminary data suggesting shipments could surpass 450,000 tons. 

Santin noted that the first half of the year is typically weaker for exports, but the strong early performance could result in higher monthly sales volumes by year-end.

Brazil’s poultry industry has been on an upward trajectory in recent years. In 2024, the country exported a record 5.294 million tons of chicken, generating US$9.928 billion in revenue—a 1.3% increase from 2023’s US$9.796 billion.

Domestic production is also on the rise. Brazil’s poultry meat output reached 14.9 billion kilograms in 2023, up from 14.5 billion kilograms the previous year, and is projected to hit 15.1 billion kilograms in 2025. 

Additionally, per capita poultry consumption in Brazil is expected to exceed 31 kilograms by 2033, reflecting the growing domestic and international demand for chicken.

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