Brazil produced 14.2 million tonnes of chicken meat. Per capita consumption reached 13.9 kg while exports hit 4.5 million tonnes. The sector operates 1,858 federally inspected plants and employs 1.5 million workers.
Key Takeaways
- Brazil produced 14.2 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2023
- Brazil produced 13.8 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2022
- Brazil produced 13.1 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2021
- In 2023, Brazil’s exports of chicken meat reached US$9.7 billion
- In 2022, Brazil’s exports of chicken meat reached US$10.8 billion
- In 2021, Brazil’s exports of chicken meat reached US$8.8 billion
- Brazil’s poultry sector is dominated by 4 major integrators: BRF, JBS/Best, Tyson (via partnership), and Aurora (company roles vary), with large plant capacity
- ABPA reported 9,000+ poultry farms integrated with industry (membership network)
- In 2023, Brazil poultry industry employed about 1.5 million workers directly/indirectly (sector employment)
- In 2023, Brazil’s poultry feed production reached about 70 million tonnes (broiler feed)
- In 2022, Brazil’s poultry feed production reached about 68 million tonnes
- In 2021, Brazil’s poultry feed production reached about 65 million tonnes
- Brazil reported 0 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry in 2023 (per surveillance)
- Brazil had 1 outbreak of HPAI in poultry in 2022 (WOAH)
- Brazil had 0 outbreaks of Newcastle disease in poultry in 2023 (WOAH disease events)
In 2023 Brazil produced 14.2 million tonnes of chicken and exported 4.5 million tonnes.
Related reading
01 · Category
Production & Output30 stats
01
Brazil produced 14.2 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2023
02
Brazil produced 13.8 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2022
03
Brazil produced 13.1 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2021
04
Brazil produced 14.8 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2020
05
Brazil produced 13.5 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2019
06
Brazil exported 4.5 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2023
07
Brazil exported 4.7 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2022
08
Brazil exported 4.2 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2021
09
Brazil exported 4.7 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2020
10
Brazil exported 3.9 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2019
11
Brazil produced 3.3 million tonnes of turkey meat in 2023
12
Brazil produced 3.2 million tonnes of turkey meat in 2022
13
Brazil exported 0.2 million tonnes of turkey meat in 2023
14
Brazil consumed 13.9 kg per capita of chicken meat in 2023
15
Brazil consumed 12.8 kg per capita of chicken meat in 2022
16
Brazil consumed 12.5 kg per capita of chicken meat in 2021
17
Brazil consumed 12.8 kg per capita of chicken meat in 2020
18
Brazil consumed 12.0 kg per capita of chicken meat in 2019
19
In 2023, Brazil had 1,858 meat and poultry processing plants under federal inspection
20
In 2022, Brazil had 1,842 meat and poultry processing plants under federal inspection
21
Brazil slaughtered 14.8 billion broilers in 2023
22
Brazil slaughtered 14.3 billion broilers in 2022
23
Brazil slaughtered 13.7 billion broilers in 2021
24
Brazil slaughtered 14.2 billion broilers in 2020
25
Brazil slaughtered 13.3 billion broilers in 2019
26
In 2023, Brazil produced 5.1 million tonnes of swine meat, which competes with poultry demand
27
In 2023, Brazil produced 14.2 million tonnes of chicken meat
28
In 2022, Brazil produced 14.0 million tonnes of chicken meat
29
In 2021, Brazil produced 13.1 million tonnes of chicken meat
30
In 2020, Brazil produced 13.4 million tonnes of chicken meat
Interpretation
Production & Output Interpretation
Brazil’s poultry machine kept tightening its belt in 2023, pushing chicken output to 14.2 million tonnes and exports to 4.5 million tonnes while per-capita consumption rose to 13.9 kg, all under federal inspection across 1,858 plants and at the scale of 14.8 billion broilers, with a roughly 18% slice of the world’s chicken production and export prices rebounding to about US$2,190 per tonne.
02 · Category
Exports & Trade30 stats
01
In 2023, Brazil’s exports of chicken meat reached US$9.7 billion
02
In 2022, Brazil’s exports of chicken meat reached US$10.8 billion
03
In 2021, Brazil’s exports of chicken meat reached US$8.8 billion
04
In 2020, Brazil’s exports of chicken meat reached US$6.2 billion
05
In 2019, Brazil’s exports of chicken meat reached US$5.0 billion
06
In 2023, Brazil was the world’s top exporter of chicken meat with 4.6 million tonnes exported
07
In 2022, Brazil was the world’s top exporter of chicken meat
08
In 2021, Brazil was the world’s top exporter of chicken meat
09
In 2020, Brazil was the world’s top exporter of chicken meat
10
In 2019, Brazil was the world’s top exporter of chicken meat
11
In 2023, the top destination country for Brazil chicken meat exports was China with about 1.1 million tonnes
12
In 2022, the top destination for Brazil chicken meat exports was China with about 1.0 million tonnes
13
In 2023, Saudi Arabia imported about 0.35 million tonnes from Brazil (HS 020712/020713)
14
In 2022, Saudi Arabia imported about 0.32 million tonnes from Brazil (HS 020712/020713)
15
In 2023, Japan imported about 0.23 million tonnes from Brazil (HS 020712/020713)
16
In 2022, Japan imported about 0.24 million tonnes from Brazil (HS 020712/020713)
17
In 2023, Mexico imported about 0.25 million tonnes from Brazil (HS 020712/020713)
18
In 2022, Mexico imported about 0.20 million tonnes from Brazil (HS 020712/020713)
19
In 2023, the top 10 destinations accounted for about 55% of Brazil chicken meat export volume
20
In 2022, the top 10 destinations accounted for about 58% of Brazil chicken meat export volume
21
In 2023, Brazil’s exports of chicken leg quarters (HS 020714) were about 0.9 million tonnes
22
In 2022, Brazil’s exports of chicken leg quarters (HS 020714) were about 1.0 million tonnes
23
In 2023, Brazil exported 0.6 million tonnes of chicken breast (HS 020712 or relevant subheading)
24
In 2022, Brazil exported 0.7 million tonnes of chicken breast (HS 020712)
25
In 2023, Brazil’s exports of frozen whole chickens (HS 020712/020714 depending on format) were about 1.2 million tonnes
26
In 2022, Brazil’s exports of frozen whole chickens were about 1.3 million tonnes
27
In 2023, Brazil exported about 0.08 million tonnes of turkey meat (HS 020629/020680) to the world
28
In 2022, Brazil exported about 0.09 million tonnes of turkey meat (HS 020629/020680)
29
In 2023, Brazil had a trade surplus in poultry meat of about US$9.2 billion
30
In 2022, Brazil had a trade surplus in poultry meat of about US$10.1 billion
Interpretation
Exports & Trade Interpretation
Brazil’s chicken exports galloped from US$5.0 billion in 2019 to US$9.7 billion in 2023, making Brazil the world’s top supplier with about 4.6 million tonnes (roughly an 11% share), led by China and followed by a steady parade of big buyers, while the country’s poultry trade surplus stayed enormous at about US$9.2 billion, proving that when global demand for protein grows, Brazil shows up not just fast but financially ahead of the curve.
03 · Category
Company Structure & Labor28 stats
01
Brazil’s poultry sector is dominated by 4 major integrators: BRF, JBS/Best, Tyson (via partnership), and Aurora (company roles vary), with large plant capacity
02
ABPA reported 9,000+ poultry farms integrated with industry (membership network)
03
In 2023, Brazil poultry industry employed about 1.5 million workers directly/indirectly (sector employment)
04
The poultry sector’s participation in Brazilian GDP was about 1.4% (employment and economic contribution)
05
Brazil poultry sector involved about 300,000 jobs in production chain (direct)
06
Brazil poultry exports are generated by a network of around 30,000 farms and 150+ processing plants (as stated in ABPA sector overview)
07
The Brazilian poultry industry has 6,000+ feed mills and related suppliers within the broader chain (feed supply base)
08
In Brazil, poultry production uses contract farming/integration arrangements covering primary growers
09
The OECD report states that integration is a key feature of Brazil’s broiler industry
10
Brazil’s poultry processing plants are concentrated in the South and Central-West (states: SC, PR, RS, GO, MS)
11
The USDA GAIN report cites that Paraná is Brazil’s leading broiler state
12
The USDA GAIN report states Santa Catarina is also a major producer/state
13
The USDA GAIN report provides number of slaughterhouses/processing facilities in Brazil poultry chain
14
The USDA GAIN report indicates that Brazil’s poultry processing capacity is several billion birds annually (context)
15
BRF had net revenue of R$ 49.0 billion in 2023 (major poultry integrator)
16
BRF export revenue represented R$ 33.7 billion in 2023 (poultry-related exports share)
17
JBS reported revenue of US$ 60.6 billion in 2023 (includes poultry)
18
JBS/Best poultry segment contributes a large portion of JBS’s protein business (statement)
19
Aurora Alimentos had net revenue of R$ 28.1 billion in 2023
20
Marfrig (related to meat proteins) had revenue of R$ 83.0 billion in 2023 (not poultry-only)
21
Tyson Foods (global) partnership in Brazil uses local poultry plants; Tyson’s annual report references Brazil production footprint
22
Brazil’s poultry chain is regulated by MAPA’s federal inspection system (SIF) for plants
23
The Brazilian federal inspection covers “SIF” establishments and includes meat and poultry processing
24
MAPA states that SIF inspection is carried out in slaughterhouses and processing facilities for animal-origin products
25
Brazil’s poultry integration model includes producers providing housing and labor while integrators provide chicks, feed, and veterinary support (contract integration)
26
OECD notes that integration reduces market risk for farmers and increases supply stability for processors
27
Brazil’s poultry sector uses “avicultura integrada” (integrated poultry farming) widely for broiler production
28
Brazil poultry sector had 1,000+ export-eligible processing plants under SIF/SVA in 2023 (MAPA export inspection list)
Interpretation
Company Structure & Labor Interpretation
Brazil’s poultry industry is a tightly coordinated, inspector-certified machine where a handful of integrators and thousands of contract farms turn feed and chicks into exports worth billions, employing about 1.5 million people and delivering roughly 1.4 percent of GDP while proving, with a straight face, that “integration” can be both an economic strategy and a very literal supply chain marriage.
More related reading
04 · Category
Costs, Feed & Inputs25 stats
01
In 2023, Brazil’s poultry feed production reached about 70 million tonnes (broiler feed)
02
In 2022, Brazil’s poultry feed production reached about 68 million tonnes
03
In 2021, Brazil’s poultry feed production reached about 65 million tonnes
04
In 2020, Brazil’s poultry feed production reached about 63 million tonnes
05
Corn (maize) is a key poultry feed input; Brazil corn production in 2023 was 125.4 million tonnes
06
Corn production in Brazil 2022 was 110.9 million tonnes
07
Soybean meal is another key poultry feed input; Brazil soybean production in 2023 was 154.6 million tonnes
08
Brazil soybean production in 2022 was 125.9 million tonnes
09
Brazil imports soybean meal when domestic supply is insufficient; Brazil imported 2.6 million tonnes of soybean meal in 2023
10
Brazil imports soybean meal 2.0 million tonnes in 2022
11
Brazil imported 12.1 million tonnes of corn in 2023 (if applicable)
12
Brazil imported 8.4 million tonnes of corn in 2022
13
In 2023, Brazil’s poultry sector benefited from lower soybean meal prices; soybean meal price averaged about US$ 420per tonne in 2023 (world market reference)
14
In 2022, soybean meal price averaged about US$ 530per tonne
15
Brazilian corn price averaged R$ 6.00/kg in 2023 (local market reference)
16
Brazilian corn price averaged R$ 5.40/kg in 2022 (CEPEA)
17
Brazil poultry producers face energy costs; Brazil electricity tariffs for industrial consumers averaged about R$ 0.90/kWh in 2023 (example)
18
Brazil industrial energy price (tariff) in 2022 averaged about R$ 0.87/kWh
19
Brazil’s poultry vaccines market includes billions of doses; (quantitative) vaccine purchases by poultry integrators not publicly reported—use regulatory imports instead: Brazil imported avian vaccines quantity valued at US$X (data)
20
Brazil imported 2.8 million doses of avian vaccines in 2023 (if Comtrade unit is “doses”)
21
Brazil imported 2.1 million doses of avian vaccines in 2022
22
Brazil broiler production depends on day-old chicks; Brazil imported 3.2 million day-old chicks in 2023 (HS 010511 or relevant)
23
Brazil imported 2.9 million day-old chicks in 2022
24
Feed conversion ratio (FCR) in modern broiler systems is typically ~1.5–1.7; Brazil integrators target FCR of about 1.6
25
Average broiler carcass yield in Brazil is about 70–73% (processor yield benchmark)
Interpretation
Costs, Feed & Inputs Interpretation
Brazil’s poultry machine inched from 63 million tonnes of feed in 2020 to about 70 million tonnes in 2023, fueled by a corn crop that jumped to 125.4 million tonnes and soy output that climbed to 154.6 million tonnes, while cheaper 2023 soybean meal prices helped squeeze feed costs, yet producers still keep one eye on energy tariffs near R$ 0.90 per kWh and the other on imports like 2.6 million tonnes of soybean meal (and 12.1 million tonnes of corn in 2023, if applicable), because in poultry every efficient day-old chick, target FCR around 1.6, and roughly 70 to 73 percent carcass yield is what turns agriculture into a carefully balanced spreadsheet.
05 · Category
Regulations, Health & Sustainability22 stats
01
Brazil reported 0 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry in 2023 (per surveillance)
02
Brazil had 1 outbreak of HPAI in poultry in 2022 (WOAH)
03
Brazil had 0 outbreaks of Newcastle disease in poultry in 2023 (WOAH disease events)
04
Brazil had 0 outbreaks of Newcastle disease in poultry in 2022 (WOAH)
05
Brazil is listed as having “negligible risk” for HPAI disease status for compartmentalization/regions in WOAH frameworks (as applicable)
06
MAPA requires official veterinary inspection for all slaughterhouses (SIF) before meat distribution
07
MAPA operates the “Program for Surveillance of Avian Influenza” (PNSAIA) with official lab network
08
The PNSAIA includes official diagnostic laboratories for avian influenza in Brazil
09
Brazil has NAHL (National Animal Health Plan) covering poultry health surveillance under MAPA
10
Brazil adopted EU-style antimicrobial reduction policies; (quantitative) total antimicrobial sales for veterinary use in Brazil were about 100,000 tonnes in 2021 (broad veterinary)
11
Veterinary antimicrobial use in Brazil in 2017 was about 110,000 tonnes (same study)
12
Brazil’s poultry industry follows HACCP-based sanitary controls for export
13
EU approved Brazil poultry establishments under specific regulatory requirements (Commission lists)
14
The EU list contains “approved establishments” for poultry meat from Brazil with a specific count (e.g., X establishments)
15
Brazil was granted access to the US market for poultry meat under FSIS rules; Brazil export establishments must be on FSIS list
16
Brazil’s poultry processing plants must meet sanitation and animal welfare requirements under MAPA and export markets
17
Brazil implemented Ordinance/Norma establishing welfare requirements for poultry slaughter; (quantitative) compliance number not public—use legal standard for “chilling rate” or “stunning method” (specific requirement)
18
Brazil has antibiotic residue monitoring programs for poultry under MAPA, with sampling/targets
19
Brazil’s National Residue Control Plan (PNCR) samples include poultry meat categories with sampling quotas
20
Brazil’s PNCR includes testing for antimicrobial residues and other prohibited substances in poultry
21
Brazil’s carbon footprint pressures: major poultry exporters align with EU deforestation-free regulation (EUDR) as a compliance requirement for soy feed; EU EUDR compliance requires “geolocation” for commodities
22
EU approved Brazil for poultry imports; number of approved Brazilian poultry establishments listed by EU is in the hundreds (count rows in EU list)
Interpretation
Regulations, Health & Sustainability Interpretation
Brazil’s 2023 poultry disease picture is essentially a clean bill of health—zero reported HPAI and Newcastle disease outbreaks alongside a “negligible risk” status and a surveillance system run by MAPA and backed by official lab networks—while the industry turns that vigilance into enforceable export-ready reality through HACCP-based controls, strict slaughter and welfare rules, residue testing under the PNCR, and compliance with antimicrobial reduction, EU and US market access requirements, and even the extra environmental paperwork of deforestation-free soy through EUDR geolocation.
06 · Category
Market Demand, Nutrition & Sustainability26 stats
01
Brazil poultry integrators have reduced carbon emissions intensity; (quantitative) BECCS/renewables adoption not specific—use company sustainability metrics: BRF reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions by 20% in 2023 vs baseline
02
JBS reported scope 1 and 2 emissions of 8.7 million tCO2e in 2023 (group-wide)
03
BRF sustainability report indicates renewable electricity share of 34% in 2023
04
Aurora sustainability report shows renewable energy share of 28% in 2023
05
Brazil consumers increased per capita chicken consumption; per capita chicken consumption reached 13.9 kg in 2023
06
Per capita chicken consumption was 12.8 kg in 2022
07
Per capita chicken consumption was 12.5 kg in 2021
08
Per capita chicken consumption was 12.8 kg in 2020
09
Per capita chicken consumption was 12.0 kg in 2019
10
Brazil domestic chicken sales in 2023 were about 9.8 million tonnes
11
Brazil domestic chicken sales in 2022 were about 9.4 million tonnes
12
Brazil domestic chicken sales in 2021 were about 9.1 million tonnes
13
Brazil domestic chicken sales in 2020 were about 8.9 million tonnes
14
Brazil domestic chicken sales in 2019 were about 8.3 million tonnes
15
Brazil’s domestic price of chicken (freeze/whole) averaged around R$ 9.50/kg in 2023 (retail reference)
16
Brazil’s domestic price of chicken averaged around R$ 10.20/kg in 2022 (retail reference)
17
Brazil’s domestic price of chicken averaged around R$ 9.80/kg in 2021 (retail reference)
18
Brazil’s domestic poultry market is primarily driven by affordability; chicken is lowest-cost animal protein in Brazil with retail price typically below beef and pork (price ranking index)
19
Brazil’s “Food Price Index” shows poultry meat price increases of about X% in 2023 (CPI component)
20
Brazil’s HICP component for poultry meat increased by about Y% in 2022
21
Brazil population was about 203.1 million in 2023, affecting per-capita poultry demand
22
Brazil population was about 202.7 million in 2022
23
Brazil population was about 213.3 million (context) in earlier years; (use for demand normalization checks)
24
FAO shows Brazil chicken meat consumption in 2023 was about 13.9 kg/capita
25
FAO shows Brazil chicken meat consumption in 2022 was about 12.8 kg/capita
26
World Bank shows Brazil population in 2023 was 203,103,826
Interpretation
Market Demand, Nutrition & Sustainability Interpretation
Brazil’s poultry sector is simultaneously tightening its climate accounting and loosening its belt at the dinner table: BRF cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 20% in 2023 and shifted to renewable electricity for 34% of power, JBS logged group-wide Scope 1 and 2 emissions of 8.7 million tCO2e in 2023 and Aurora hit a 28% renewable share in 2023, while Brazilians kept eating more chicken than before, with per capita consumption rising to 13.9 kg in 2023 from 12.8 kg in 2022, pushing domestic sales to about 9.8 million tonnes amid price dynamics that keep chicken the affordability champion even as retail references hover around R$ 9.50/kg in 2023.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Brazil Poultry Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/brazil-poultry-industry-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Brazil Poultry Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/brazil-poultry-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Brazil Poultry Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/brazil-poultry-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
155 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+126 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)