Brazil kicks off 2026 with significant growth in poultry and pork sales

According to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), Brazilian chicken exports in January totaled 459,000 tons. This is a record for the month and a 3.6% increase compared to the same period last year, when exports totaled 443,000 tons.

Revenue also increased, setting a January record. Revenue reached $874.2 million, up 5.8% from $826.4 million in the first month of 2015.

The United Arab Emirates, the main exporter of Brazilian chicken products, imported 44,300 tons in the month, up 14% year-on-year. They were followed by South Africa with 36,800 tonnes (+34%), Saudi Arabia with 33,500 tonnes (+5%), China with 33,500 tonnes (-25%), Japan with 29,200 tonnes (+4%), the European Union with 27,400 tonnes (+24%), the Philippines with 25,100 tonnes (+23%), South Korea with 16,200 tonnes (+10%), Singapore with 14,100 tonnes (equivalent to 2025), and Chile with 11,800 tonnes (+51%).

“Record results, showing growth across almost all major destinations during a period of typically subdued demand, such as January, point to an optimistic outlook for 2026. “This reflects robust growth in several importing markets, particularly the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, the European Union, and some Asian markets with significant demand,” notes ABPA President Ricardo Santin.

Brazilian pork exports also broke records during the period. A total of 116,300 tonnes were shipped in January, up 9.7% from the 106,000 tonnes shipped in the same month last year.

Export revenue reached $270.2 million, up 13.6% from the same period last year (and a record high for January), which was $238 million.

The Philippines, the largest importer of Brazilian pork, received 37,400 tonnes (up 91%). The top exporters were: Japan – 12,900 tonnes (+58%), Hong Kong – 8,800 tonnes (-7%), China – 8,300 tonnes (-58%), Chile – 7,700 tonnes (equivalent to 2025), Singapore – 5,500 tonnes (-16%), Uruguay – 3,700 tonnes (+1%), Côte d’Ivoire – 3,400 tonnes (+3%), Mexico – 3,000 tonnes (+133%), and Argentina – 2,800 tonnes (-37%).

“The trend observed in 2025 continues this year, with decentralization of shipments from China to new destinations, including the Philippines and other high-value-added markets such as Japan. The record balance in January points to a return to positive trade flows in 2026,” emphasizes ABPA President Ricardo Santin.

Tags: Brazil, export, pork