Brazilian chicken exports hit a record in October despite sanitary restrictions

Brazilian chicken meat exports reached their highest volume ever recorded for October. The country shipped 512,700 tonnes of fresh and processed products, up 2.3% from October 2025, according to data from the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA).

The result came amid sanitary restrictions associated with the identification of four Newcastle disease outbreaks in municipalities in Santa Catarina. Because the cases were recorded in birds showing no clinical signs, regionalization agreements helped confine the restrictions to the areas specified by the protocols without interrupting most Brazilian shipments.

Revenue from external sales reached US$994 million in the month, up 14.9% year on year. From January to October, the country shipped 4.9 million tonnes, an increase of 12.7%, and generated US$9.6 billion in revenue, up 20.4%.

The United Arab Emirates led purchases in October, with 53,100 tonnes, 29.8% above the volume recorded a year earlier. Saudi Arabia, with 47,800 tonnes; China, with 46,700 tonnes; Japan, with 38,700 tonnes; and South Africa, with 30,000 tonnes, completed the main destinations.

The increase in sales to China was measured against a low comparison base. In October 2025, shipments to the country had been practically halted because imports were temporarily suspended after a highly pathogenic avian influenza case was recorded, a situation that was later overcome.

According to ABPA, distributing sales among different markets and redirecting cargo helped sustain the performance. At the same time, exports to the European Union have remained suspended since September 3 because of European questions about proof of antimicrobial controls in Brazil’s production chain. A technical mission from the bloc assessed that Brazil is able to demonstrate the safety of its production, and negotiations to resume shipments are continuing.