Brazil’s poultry prices face pressure as demand drops

BRAZIL – Prices for chicken meat in Brazil showed mixed trends across different regions in January, according to data from Cepea. 

While some areas experienced a decline due to weaker consumer demand, others saw an increase driven by limited supply.

The drop in demand follows the usual pattern seen at this time of year when purchasing power is lower. 

However, supply constraints in certain regions have led to price hikes, creating a varied market landscape.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s poultry exports reached a record-high volume of 5.294 million metric tons (MT) in 2024, marking a 3% rise from the 5.130 million MT recorded in 2023. 

The data comes from a report by the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA).

Revenue from poultry exports increased by 1.3% year-over-year, totaling US$9.928 billion. 

Monthly exports averaged over 440,000 MT, and projections for 2025 suggest further growth, which could lead to higher earnings for exporters.

China, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan remained the top buyers of Brazilian chicken meat. 

Mexico has also strengthened its position in recent years, now ranking among the top 10 destinations.

In 2024, Mexico imported 212,500 MT of Brazilian chicken meat, reflecting a 22.6% increase. 

This placed the country as the eighth-largest importer of Brazil’s poultry products.

While chicken meat exports hit new highs, the performance of eggs and poultry genetics varied. Egg exports saw a sharp decline, with Brazil shipping 18,469 MT in 2024, a 27.3% drop from the previous year.

Chile became the largest importer of Brazilian eggs, receiving 6,871 MT. 

This represented a 141.4% increase from 2023, making it one of the few markets to expand its egg imports.

On the other hand, exports of poultry genetics, including one-day-old chicks and fertile eggs, saw a modest rise. 

Brazil shipped 27,229 MT in 2024, reflecting a 2.8% increase from the previous year.

Mexico remained the top buyer of poultry genetics, importing 9,378 MT. 

However, this marked a 30.6% decline from 2023. 

Venezuela and Paraguay were also key markets, receiving 3,909 MT and 2,634 MT, respectively.

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