Brazil pork exports reach record high in March as meat trade adjusts to global shipping disruptions

BRAZIL – Brazil recorded its highest-ever monthly pork export volume in March, shipping 153,800 tons, which marked a 32.2% increase from 116,300 tons a year earlier, according to data from the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA).

Export earnings from pork also reached a new peak at US$361.6 million in March, rising 30.1% from US$278 million in the same month of 2025, while first-quarter volumes climbed to 392,200 tons, up 16.5%, with revenue increasing to US$916 million from US$788.9 million.

Demand from Asia Drives Growth

The Philippines remained the largest buyer in March, importing 48,900 tons, a jump of 80.7% year on year, followed by Japan at 18,200 tons, up 85.8%, while China imported 12,700 tons, down 9.5%, Chile took 10,600 tons, up 26.1%, and Hong Kong received 8,800 tons, down 29.4%.

ABPA president Ricardo Santin said global appetite for Brazilian pork stayed strong in key Asian and South American destinations and added that early-year shipment trends suggest continued expansion through 2026.

Regional Production Strength

Santa Catarina led Brazil’s pork exports in March with 71,000 tons, an increase of 21.5%, while Rio Grande do Sul followed with 43,300 tons, up 71.4%, Paraná shipped 21,400 tons, up 10.5%, Minas Gerais exported 4,800 tons, up 69%, and Mato Grosso moved 4,200 tons, up 37.8%.

Beyond pork, Brazil’s broader meat sector is adjusting logistics as poultry and beef exporters reroute shipments through alternative sea lanes and overland corridors in response to disruptions from the Middle East conflict and higher transport costs.

Brazilian poultry exports to the Middle East, which accounted for about 30% of total shipments in 2025, continue to move through the Red Sea and Suez Canal routes despite longer transit times, with March volumes expected to exceed 476,000 metric tons, according to industry projections.

At the same time, beef exporters are responding to China’s safeguard system, which limits lower-tariff imports to 1.1 million tons and imposes a 55% duty on imports above that threshold, prompting greater sales to markets such as the United States, the European Union, Chile, and Russia.

In the first two months of 2026, Brazil’s exports of fresh and processed beef, including byproducts, rose 39% in value to US$2.865 billion and increased 22% in volume to 557,240 tons, supported by tight global cattle supplies and diversified demand channels.

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