Brazil’s chicken exports rebound as key importers ease bird flu restrictions

Brazil's chicken trade, which was impacted by the recent bird flu outbreak, is gradually recovering as major markets lift import restrictions.

In May 2025, Brazil confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, leading to significant trade disruptions as major importers imposed import bans on Brazilian poultry products.

Brazil declared itself free of bird flu on June 18 after completing a mandatory 28-day sanitary void period.

Key importers have gradually lifted bans on poultry imports from Brazil, contributing to a recovery in the country's chicken exports in July and August.

Infrastructure

Brazil reported its first case of HPAI on May 15 at a commercial poultry breeder farm in Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul state, triggering import bans.

China, the largest importer, continues to maintain its ban, although negotiations are ongoing to resume trade.

Brazil is one of the world's leading exporters of chicken meat, representing more than a 30% share of global outflows.

In 2024, Brazil's chicken meat exports reached a record 5.294 million metric tons, according to trade data compiled by the Brazilian Animal Protein Association.

China is the largest buyer of Brazilian chicken meat with 562,200 mt imported in 2024, followed by the UAE with 455,100 mt, Japan with 443,200 mt, and Saudi Arabia with 370,800 mt, according to ABPA.

Other major export destinations in 2024 included South Africa (325,400 mt), the Philippines (234,800 mt), the EU (231,900 mt), Mexico (215,500 mt), Iraq (179,800 mt) and South Korea (155,800 mt).

Trade flows

In May 2025, Brazil's frozen chicken cut export volumes dropped 10% to 287,250 mt compared to the previous month, according to Brazil's Secretariat of Foreign Trade.

Exports to China dropped 34% to 34,554 mt in May compared with the previous month, while shipments to the UAE and Saudi Arabia declined 25% and 2%, respectively, reaching 15,435 mt and 19,367 mt, according to Secex.

In July, UAE imports of Brazilian chicken meat increased 12.6% month over month to 30,300 mt, according to Secex. The July volumes were nearly double those in May, indicating a market recovery after bird flu disruptions that had limited trade earlier in the year. In August, however, volumes dipped to 16,531 mt.

In June and July, Saudi Arabia's chicken imports from Brazil increased to 23,480 mt and 22,520 mt, respectively, while in August, the volumes decreased to 19,470 mt.

South Africa imported 24,700 mt of chicken meat from Brazil in May, a 5% decrease month over month. Volumes dropped significantly to 2,490 mt in June and 1,508 mt in July.

After the import ban was lifted, South Africa ramped up purchases, with imports rebounding to 25,780 mt in August.

EU imports increased 2% month over month to 136,282 mt in May. Volumes fell 76% in June, 95% in July and 76% in August.

In July and August, Brazil's total frozen chicken cut exports were 294,130 mt and 298,100 mt, respectively.

Prices

Following the confirmation of the bird flu outbreak, Brazil's chicken prices fell, leading to a domestic oversupply of chicken meat.

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed chicken leg prices FCA Brazil at $2,280/mt on May 15. By June 17, the price had dropped to $2,076/mt. As of Sept. 25, prices were assessed at $2,182/mt.

Platts assessed chicken leg CFR North Asia at $2,300/mt on Sept. 26.

Platts Middle East chicken breast CIF prices were assessed at $2,770/mt on Sept. 26.

Source: S&P Global