Combining quality, scale, sanitary excellence, and competitiveness, Brazil has become the world’s leading exporter of chicken meat and one of the top global suppliers of animal protein. In 2024, the country produced approximately 13.7 billion kilograms of chicken meat and exported 4.95 million tons to more than 120 international markets, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and official foreign trade data (Comex Stat).
What makes Brazilian chicken a global benchmark? The answer lies in five key factors that make the product highly trusted, competitive, and in demand across the most discerning markets.
- Quality and health standards: the pillars of Brazilian poultry
Brazilian chicken has earned its position in the global market by delivering on three essential features: flavor, safety, and quality. The country is internationally recognized for its animal health protocols, with strict biosecurity systems and a highly technical production chain. Even in the face of global challenges like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), Brazil was the last among major producers to register cases — and one of the fastest to contain and eliminate outbreaks, swiftly restoring its sanitary status.
This track record is crucial for building international trust, particularly in high-standard markets such as Japan, the European Union, and Saudi Arabia. In a world where food security is a growing concern, Brazil offers consistency, traceability, and a production system regularly overseen by national and international authorities. - Scale and availability: ready to meet global demand
Brazil is currently the world’s second-largest chicken producer and the first exporter. It is estimated that one in every three chickens traded globally comes from Brazil. This leadership is supported by a robust production structure, primarily based on an integrated system that connects agribusiness companies with thousands of small- and medium-sized farmers, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and scalability.
The country also benefits from vast agricultural resources, a favorable climate, and logistical access to major global markets across the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. This allows Brazil to not only meet existing demand but also scale up production to meet future needs. - Competitive pricing: accessible without compromising quality
Brazilian chicken is one of the most affordable animal proteins on the global market. In 2024, the average export price was USD 1.80 per kilogram, according to government data. This price advantage positions chicken as a strategic option for countries seeking food security at an affordable cost.
Offering high-quality protein at competitive prices allows Brazil to serve both emerging and developed markets, with customized cuts, certifications, and standards tailored to each client’s requirements. - Cost-efficient production: a built-in advantage
Much of Brazil’s competitive edge lies in its cost structure. As one of the world’s top producers of corn and soybean meal — the two main ingredients of poultry feed — the country benefits from local sourcing and lower logistical expenses.
Furthermore, the use of technology, efficient resource management, and geographic proximity between farms and feed suppliers result in a leaner, more cost-effective production model. This enables Brazilian chicken to maintain an attractive price-performance ratio while preserving sustainable profit margins throughout the supply chain. - A trusted global presence
From January to June 2025, Brazil exported 2.4 million tons of chicken meat, yielding USD 4.3 billion in revenue, according to the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC). Top destination countries include China (12.6%), the United Arab Emirates (11.4%), Japan (9.1%), Saudi Arabia (10.6%), South Korea (3.4%), and Mexico (4.9%).
This extensive network of trading partners is the result of decades of cooperation among producers, regulators, and trade missions. Brazil doesn’t just export chicken — it exports trust, consistency, traceability, and a commitment to international standards.
