Brazilian chicken exports could reach record 5.87 million tonnes in 2026
Brazilian chicken exports could reach a record 5.87 million tonnes in 2026, according to projections from ABPA reported by Forbes Brasil. The forecast is supported by an expected increase in domestic poultry supply.
ABPA expects a new export record
Brazilian chicken exports could reach a record 5.87 million tonnes in 2026, according to projections from the Brazilian Animal Protein Association, known as ABPA, reported by Forbes Brasil. The forecast points to a new high for shipments from one of Brazil’s most internationally oriented food industries.
The central factor behind the projection is an expected increase in domestic poultry supply. Greater availability would give Brazilian processors more volume to serve overseas customers while supporting the industry’s established export operations. The forecast does not, however, provide a detailed breakdown by destination, product category or expected export revenue.
More supply for international markets
A shipment volume of 5.87 million tonnes would reinforce the importance of foreign demand to Brazilian poultry producers and processors. Export capacity allows the industry to place additional production outside the domestic market, but the final result will depend on companies being able to process, certify and deliver the projected volume.
For importers, the forecast signals the prospect of greater Brazilian availability in 2026. Additional supply from Brazil could give buyers more room when planning purchases and negotiating contracts. The available source material does not specify which countries would receive the extra volume, so the geographical impact cannot yet be quantified.
Implications for producers and competitors
The projection gives Brazilian producers a clear production signal, but higher output alone does not guarantee that the export target will be achieved. Processors will need sufficient operational capacity, and exporters will need sustained access to foreign markets. Any gap between expanding supply and actual overseas demand could affect the balance of the domestic market.
For competing poultry suppliers, a record Brazilian volume would mean more product available from Brazil in international trade. The scale of the competitive effect will depend on where the additional shipments are sold and which chicken products account for the growth. ABPA’s 5.87 million-tonne estimate therefore sets an important benchmark for 2026, while destination data, product composition and realised shipments will determine its full commercial significance.
