In a remarkable achievement, Brazil, the world’s leading chicken exporter, set a new record in 2023 by exporting over 5 million metric tons of chicken meat for the first time. Data released by the Brazilian meat industry association, ABPA, highlighted that the nation exported 5.138 million metric tons of chicken meat in the said year, marking a 6.6% increase from 2022.
One of the significant factors contributing to Brazil’s competitive edge in the global market was its ability to maintain a bird flu-free production sector throughout 2023. This disease-free status bolstered confidence among international buyers, further driving Brazil’s export performance.
The revenue generated from these exports amounted to US $9.8 billion, marking a 0.4% increase compared to the previous year. December 2023 alone witnessed the export of 467,200 tons of chicken meat, a notable 20.9% increase compared to December 2022. The record for the highest monthly export volume was set in March 2023, with shipments reaching 514,600 tons. Correspondingly, the revenue from December 2023 exports stood at US$818.9 million, up by 4.3% year-on-year.
Ricardo Santin, the president of ABPA, expressed optimism about Brazil’s poultry export trajectory. He acknowledged the challenges faced during the year, including fluctuating market conditions and production costs. However, Santin emphasized that the robust performance in 2023 aligns with ABPA’s projections and sets a positive tone for 2024. ABPA anticipates Brazilian chicken meat exports to surge further in 2024, ranging between 5.2 million and 5.3 million metric tons.
Breaking down the export destinations for December, Japan emerged as the top importer of Brazilian chicken meat, purchasing approximately 55,900 metric tons, a 53.9% increase from the previous year. China followed closely, importing 50,300 tons, up by 8.5%. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa also increased their imports by 27%, 56.3%, and 10.8%, respectively.
Luís Rua, ABPA’s director, attributed the record-breaking December performance to the heightened demand from major importers. He noted that the increased imports by key destinations underscored the global trust and preference for Brazilian chicken meat.
