Chicken meat exports surpass US 1 billion in May, setting a new historical record
Brazilian chicken meat exports (considering all products, both fresh and processed) reached an unprecedented milestone in May 2026, reports the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). For the first time in the sector's history, monthly export revenue exceeded US$1 billion, totaling US$1,009 billion in the period.
The result is 36.1% higher than that obtained in May 2025, when exports generated US$ 741.2 million.
In terms of volume, shipments totaled 509,900 tons (the highest result ever recorded for the month of May), a figure that is 29.6% higher than that achieved in the same period last year, with 393,400 tons – a month with a lower base, resulting from the only (now overcome) record of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the history of the national sector.
With May's performance, Brazilian chicken meat exports totaled 2,453 million tons between January and May of this year, a result 8.7% higher than that recorded in the same period of 2025, with 2,257 million tons.
In terms of revenue, the accumulated growth reaches 11.3%, with US$4,714 billion in the first five months of 2026, compared to US$4,234 billion recorded in the same period last year.
Among the main destinations for Brazilian exports in May, China led imports, with 48,300 tons shipped (+34.7%), followed by Japan, with 43,200 tons (+53.9%), the European Union, with 40,200 tons (+61.6%), Saudi Arabia, with 39,100 tons (+27.5%), the United Arab Emirates, with 32,300 tons (+1.2%), South Africa, with 31,400 tons (+22.8%), Mexico, with 23,500 tons (+40.9%), the Philippines, with 20,800 tons (-14.2%), South Korea, with 18,200 tons (+36.4%) and the United Kingdom, with 12,200 tons (+18.8%).
In terms of exporting states, Paraná maintained its national leadership, with 213,900 tons shipped in May (+35.1%), followed by Santa Catarina, with 113,900 tons (+39.7%), Rio Grande do Sul, with 62,900 tons (+21.3%), São Paulo, with 27,800 tons (+10.5%) and Goiás, with 26,400 tons (+26.4%).
"The results were achieved in an environment marked by global logistical uncertainties and the impacts stemming from tensions in the Middle East, especially on maritime routes associated with the Strait of Hormuz. Even in this context, Brazil significantly expanded its presence in strategic and value-added markets, such as Japan, the European Union, South Korea, and China, while maintaining a strong presence in the Middle East and expanding opportunities in emerging markets. This demonstrates the diversification of the Brazilian export agenda and the competitiveness of our production chain," concludes Ricardo Santin, president of ABPA.
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