São Paulo – Saudi Arabia was the second-largest foreign market of Brazilian chicken in March, purchasing 40,500 tonnes, an increase of 15.7%, according to figures released on Monday (7) by the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), based on data from the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex). The Arab country ranked only behind China among the top buyers of the Brazilian product.
Overall, Brazilian chicken meat exports totaled 476,000 tonnes in March, an increase of 13.8% compared to the same month in 2024. Revenue from sales also grew, reaching USD 889.9 million, 18.5% higher than in the same period of the previous year.
In addition to China in first place, with purchases of 46,400 tons and an increase of 19.3%, and Saudi Arabia in second place, the ranking of major importers of Brazilian chicken meat in March also includes, in descending order, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, South Africa, the Philippines, the European Union, Mexico, South Korea, and Iraq. The other two Arab countries on the list imported smaller amounts: the UAE purchased 32,200 tonnes (-21%), and Iraq 14,900 tonnes (-7.6%).
First quarter
In the first quarter of 2025, the sector recorded exports of 1.387 million tonnes, a 13.7% increase compared to the first three months of 2024, generating revenue of USD 2.587 billion, up 20.8%.
“The average monthly exports of chicken meat remained above 460,000 tonnes in this first quarter, which is unprecedented in the sector’s history and indicates a likely surpassing of ABPA’s initial projections for this year. Several high-value-added markets recorded significant increases, which also resulted in revenue growth at a higher rate compared to volumes,” said ABPA President Ricardo Santin in a statement from the association.
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Translated by Guilherme Miranda
