Brazil gains access to Azerbaijan for pork, poultry exports

BRAZIL – The Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) confirmed that Azerbaijan has authorized the entry of thermo-processed pork and poultry products from Brazil.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in Brasília made the announcement following discussions between Brazilian officials and Azerbaijani health regulators.

Talks were led by Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro, accompanied by International Relations Secretary Luis Renato Rua, Agricultural Defense Secretary Carlos Goulart, and their technical teams.

The agreement is viewed as a step into a market where meat consumption is growing steadily, particularly for chicken products.

According to 2021 figures, per capita chicken consumption in Azerbaijan stands at about 15 kilograms annually, translating to 141,000 tons.

Market projections indicate that demand could reach 152,000 tons by 2026, highlighting a gradual increase in poultry intake.

In 2024, the country imported 41,900 tons of chicken, an increase of 46 percent compared to 2023, with Ukraine and Russia supplying most of that volume.

Brazil had previously been a significant supplier of chicken meat to Azerbaijan until 2019, after which shipments paused before resuming briefly last year.

While pork consumption remains limited in the country, Brazil has historically accounted for a large portion of Azerbaijan’s imports in that category.

The new authorization for thermo-processed products is expected to enable a phased return of Brazilian exporters to the market.

Producers are positioning to supply goods that comply with local regulations while meeting consumer demand.

ABPA president Ricardo Santin noted that the agreement widens commercial prospects between the two nations at a time of rising consumption levels in Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, Brazil has been experiencing strong activity in its meat sector, with official data showing record levels of animal processing earlier this year.

Figures from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) show that 575.9 million head were slaughtered in May, the highest monthly figure since records began in 1997.

The report, released by Cepea on September 10, pointed out that the record coincided with Brazil’s first confirmed bird flu case on May 15.

The outbreak led several countries to temporarily suspend imports of Brazilian chicken, creating uncertainty among market participants.

Some analysts suggest that the high slaughter numbers had been scheduled well in advance, while others argue that producers accelerated shipments in anticipation of falling prices after the disease detection.

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