Brazil chicken prices rise to five-month high as poultry exports surpass US$1 billion in May

BRAZIL – Chicken prices in Brazil’s São Paulo state rose sharply in May, reaching their highest level in five months as lower feed costs improved profitability for poultry producers and supported a recovery in the domestic market.

According to data from the Centre for Advanced Studies on Applied Economics (Cepea), the average live chicken price in São Paulo reached 5.07 Brazilian reais per kilogram, equivalent to approximately US$0.92 per kilogram, representing a 13.8% increase compared to April.

The rise reversed a six-month downward trend and came as declines in corn and soybean meal prices reduced production costs, improving producers’ purchasing power to its strongest level since December.

Market analysts attributed the recovery partly to production adjustments made by the poultry sector after a period of weaker demand and slower sales activity.

While domestic prices strengthened, Brazil’s poultry industry also recorded a historic performance in international markets, with chicken meat export revenue exceeding US$1 billion in a single month for the first time.

Data released by the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein showed that export earnings reached US$1.009 billion in May 2026, marking a 36.1% increase from the US$741.2 million recorded during the same month last year.

Export volumes reached 509,900 tonnes, the highest May total ever recorded by the sector and 29.6% higher than the 393,400 tonnes shipped in May 2025.

The association noted that last year’s comparison was influenced by the country’s only recorded case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, an event that temporarily affected export performance.

Between January and May, Brazilian chicken meat exports totalled 2.453 million tonnes, an increase of 8.7% from the 2.257 million tonnes exported during the corresponding period in 2025.

Export revenue for the first five months of the year reached US$4.714 billion, up 11.3% from US$4.234 billion during the same period a year earlier.

Key export destinations

Among Brazil’s largest export markets in May, China remained the leading destination with imports of 48,300 tonnes, followed by Japan with 43,200 tonnes and the European Union with 40,200 tonnes.

Other major buyers included Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Mexico, Philippines, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

At the state level, Paraná remained the country’s largest exporter with 213,900 tonnes shipped in May, followed by Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo and Goiás.

ABPA president Ricardo Santin said the export growth was achieved despite logistical challenges and geopolitical tensions affecting maritime trade routes, including those linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

He added that Brazil expanded sales in several higher-value markets while maintaining its presence in the Middle East and increasing participation in emerging destinations, reflecting the competitiveness and diversification of the country’s poultry export sector.

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