Brazil chicken exports top 500,300 tonnes in September

By Grace Kim

Brazil shipped 500,300 tonnes of chicken meat in September 2026, up 3.7% from 482,300 tonnes in September 2025, according to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). Revenue rose 14.7% to $984.2 million from $857.9 million.

How strong were shipments through September?

ABPA reported 4.421 million tonnes from January through September, 14% above 3.877 million tonnes a year earlier. Accumulated revenue reached $8.673 billion, up 21% from $7.166 billion.

Those figures cover shipments of fresh and processed chicken meat, not production totals or farm-gate sales. ABPA supplied no farm-gate prices, input costs, basis or margin data, so the revenue increase does not show producer earnings or changes in input costs.

Revenue grew faster than volume in both reported windows, but ABPA gave no unit values, product mix or cost breakdown to explain the difference.

Trade revenue expanded faster than tonnage, while the release leaves producer economics unmeasured.

Where did September exports go?

The United Arab Emirates ranked first with 45,900 tonnes, up 23.3% from 37,200 tonnes in September 2025. The European Union followed with 43,500 tonnes, up 1,007% from 3,900 tonnes.

China received 40,900 tonnes, down from 51,000 tonnes. Saudi Arabia took 38,300 tonnes, up 7.4% from 35,700 tonnes, while Japan received 33,600 tonnes, down 7.7% from 36,400 tonnes.

ABPA attributed the large swings in China and EU shipments to an unusually low September 2025 comparison base. Temporary suspensions followed what the association described as the only recorded case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the history of Brazilian commercial production, and ABPA said the outbreak was quickly overcome last year.

The EU increase came from a base below 4,000 tonnes, while China shipped less than in the comparison month.

The destination mix broadened, but the EU and China comparisons were distorted by last year's suspensions.

What did the September certificate suspension change?

ABPA president Ricardo Santin said the EU figure for September 2026 includes products produced and certified through September 2. A temporary suspension of new certificates took effect on September 3, but it did not stop shipment of products that had already completed that step.

Exporters and importers also brought volumes forward, reducing the suspension's immediate effect. Santin said: “The September result keeps Brazilian exports at a high level, with more than 500,000 tons shipped and significant revenue growth.”

He said the annual comparison must account for September 2025 suspensions related to highly pathogenic avian influenza, which he said had already been overcome. Diversification of destinations and advance shipment planning, supported by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade, helped preserve performance this year.

Already-certified cargo and advance scheduling softened the suspension's immediate effect.

Which states led the shipments?

Paraná remained Brazil's leading exporting state in September, shipping 199,700 tonnes, up 9.5% from 182,300 tonnes.

• Santa Catarina followed with 111,000 tonnes, down 4.8% from 116,700 tonnes.
• Rio Grande do Sul shipped 67,900 tonnes, up 4.2% from 65,200 tonnes.
• São Paulo sent 28,300 tonnes, down 9.1% from 31,100 tonnes.
• Goiás exported 27,200 tonnes, up 25.8% from 21,600 tonnes.

Paraná extended its lead, while Goiás posted the fastest percentage increase among the five states ABPA listed.

ABPA's release records higher September and year-to-date shipments and revenue, but no full-year forecast. The next ABPA releases will show whether exporters sustain September's total as they manage certificate timing, while later price, cost and basis data will be needed to calculate farm-margin effects.