Brazil's Chicken Exports Break Records as Global Poultry Trade Keeps Growing

Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, has just closed its strongest first half ever for poultry shipments. The news arrives at the same time as two major forecasts, one from the United Nations and one from Rabobank, that both point to steady growth in global poultry trade this year. For meat buyers and sellers, the message is clear: chicken remains the growth engine of the protein trade in 2026.

Brazil sets a new first-half record

Data released by the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) shows that Brazil shipped 482,800 tonnes of chicken meat in June 2026. That was 40.6% higher than June of last year, although the comparison is flattered by a weak base. In May 2025, Brazilian exports were hit by restrictions after a case of avian influenza, which has since been resolved.

Looking at the wider picture removes that distortion. Between January and June 2026, Brazil exported 2.936 million tonnes of chicken meat. That is up 12.9% on the same period last year and is a record for a first half. Revenue reached USD 5.7 billion, a 17% increase.

The main buyers in June were spread across several regions:

China: 50,100 tonnes
Japan: 46,600 tonnes
United Arab Emirates: 46,200 tonnes
Saudi Arabia: 33,100 tonnes

ABPA president Ricardo Santin said the results were reached despite difficult conditions, including tensions in the Middle East that affected shipping routes. He noted that Brazil expanded its presence in high-value markets such as Japan, the European Union and South Korea, while keeping a strong position in the Middle East. Inside Brazil, the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul remained the leading suppliers.

The FAO sees global poultry trade rising in 2026

Brazil's record is part of a bigger trend. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), global poultry meat trade is set to grow by 3.1% in 2026, reaching 17.2 million tonnes.

The FAO points to two main drivers. On the supply side, China is expanding its exports at double-digit rates for a third year in a row, helped by competitive prices and a wider range of products. On the demand side, Africa is expected to be the most dynamic region, as fast population growth outpaces local production and keeps buyers reliant on imports of affordable protein. Demand in Asia is also holding firm.

Poultry stands out against the rest of the meat sector, where the FAO sees more mixed results:

Global beef trade is forecast to fall 0.6% to 13.8 million tonnes, held back by China's new country-by-country import quotas and high tariffs on volumes above those limits.
Global pig meat production is set to rise only 0.6% to 129.5 million tonnes, with the European Union expected to decline because of African Swine Fever pressure.

The FAO also flagged that trade routes keep adjusting to shipping problems and geopolitical uncertainty, with some volumes rerouted toward African markets.

Rabobank raises its poultry growth outlook

A second forecast, from Rabobank's research arm and reported from the Netherlands, tells a similar story. Rabobank lifted its 2026 global poultry growth outlook to a range of 3% to 3.5%, up from an earlier estimate.

The bank said poultry production grew by more than 5% in several major markets in the first quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier. Growth came mainly from China, the European Union, South Africa, the Philippines and Brazil. Global poultry trade rose 3.5% year on year in the same quarter, which Rabobank called notable given the disruption caused by conflict in the Middle East.

Risks buyers and sellers should watch

Rabobank was clear that the outlook is not without danger. Disease is the biggest concern. More than 2,500 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been detected across 32 European countries in recent months, and Newcastle disease has caused outbreaks in Poland, Spain and Germany. The United States is seeing similar avian influenza pressure.

Two other points matter for traders:

A shift from imports to local production is under way in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, as governments push food security strategies.
The possible removal of Brazilian products from European Union imports could reshape trade flows, pushing EU prices up and Brazilian prices down. Rabobank named Thailand and China as possible alternative suppliers for the EU.

What it means for the market

The three reports point in the same direction. Chicken is winning share in the global meat trade because it is cheaper than beef and easier to produce than pork, and demand is strong in fast-growing regions. Brazil is capturing much of that growth, but it is not alone, with China gaining ground as an exporter.

For buyers, the record volumes suggest supply should stay available, though disease outbreaks and shifting trade rules could cause sudden gaps. For sellers, market diversification looks more important than ever, especially with question marks over Brazil's access to the European market. In a year of steady demand but rising uncertainty, flexibility will be the key advantage.