Brazilian exports of chicken, pork higher in January
Volume and revenue are record highs for the period for both proteins
10 February 2026
2 minute read
By: Brazilian chicken meat exports (considering all products, both fresh and processed) totaled 459,000 tons in January, according to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). This is a record for the month and represents a 3.6% increase compared to the same period last year, which totaled 443,000 tons.
In terms of revenue, there was also growth and a record for January. The result reached US$874.2 million, a 5.8% increase compared to the first month of 2025, which was US$826.4 million.
The United Arab Emirates, the main destination for Brazilian chicken meat exports, imported 44,300 tons in the month, a volume 14% higher than that recorded last year. Next are South Africa, with 36,800 tons (+34%), Saudi Arabia, with 33,500 tons (+5%), China, with 33,500 tons (-25%), Japan, with 29,200 tons (+4%), the European Union, with 27,400 tons (+24%), the Philippines, with 25,100 tons (+23%), South Korea, with 16,200 tons (+10%), Singapore, with 14,100 tons (equivalent to 2025) and Chile, with 11,800 tons (+51%).
The leading exporting state, Paraná, shipped 187,700 tons in January (+3.9%), followed by Santa Catarina, with 103,100 tons (+9.3%), Rio Grande do Sul, with 58,700 tons (+0.75%), São Paulo, with 26,700 tons (+2%) and Goiás, with 25,600 tons (+9.5%).
“The record performance with increases in practically all major destinations, during a period of typically reduced demand, such as the month of January, signals optimistic prospects for 2026. This indicates sustained growth in several importing markets, especially in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, the countries of the European Union and certain Asian markets with significant demand,” advises the president of ABPA, Ricardo Santin.
Pork also at record level
Brazilian pork exports (considering all products, both fresh and processed) also reached record levels for the period. A total of 116,300 tons were shipped in January, a 9.7% increase compared to the total shipped in the same month last year, which was 106,000 tons.
Export revenue reached US$270.2 million, a 13.6% increase compared to the same period last year (and a record for the month of January), which totaled US$238 million.
The Philippines, the largest importer of Brazilian pork, received 37,400 tons (+91%). They were followed by Japan, with 12,900 tons (+58%), Hong Kong, with 8,800 tons (-7%), China, with 8,300 tons (-58%), Chile, with 7,700 tons (equivalent to 2025), Singapore, with 5,500 tons (-16%), Uruguay, with 3,700 tons (+1%), Ivory Coast, with 3,400 tons (+3%), Mexico, with 3,000 tons (+133%), and Argentina, with 2,800 tons (-37%).
The largest exporting state, Santa Catarina, shipped 56,500 tons (-2.3%), followed by Rio Grande do Sul, with 29,000 tons (+34.4%), Paraná, with 17,000 tons (+29.1%), Mato Grosso, with 3,600 tons (+7.5%) and Minas Gerais, with 3,000 tons (-11.8%).
"The trend that occurred throughout 2025 continues this year, with a 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 positive flow again in 2026," emphasizes the president of ABPA, Ricardo Santin.
