Brazil sets new poultry production record in 2025

In 2025, Brazil produced 14.2 million metric tons of chicken meat, a 3.4% increase from 2024 and a new annual record, according to preliminary data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, IBGE. This growth was driven by increased broiler harvests and higher average bird weight.

IBGE released fourth-quarter poultry production preliminary data for 2025 on Feb. 12, allowing a review of both quarterly and annual results. In the last quarter of 2025, production fell 1.6% from the previous quarter but rose 4.7% compared with the same period in 2024.

"It is common for production to decrease at the end of the year due to holidays," an industry participant said. "However, compared to [2024] last year, an increase was expected."

The increase in fourth-quarter production, compared with the same period in 2024, was mainly due to a 3.9% rise in the number of broilers harvested.

Lower feed costs drove higher production

According to IBGE data, the annual chicken meat production record reflects a 2.7% increase in harvested broilers and a 0.7% rise in average bird weight compared to 2024. In May 2025, monthly production reached the highest level in the historical series, at 1.27 million mt.

An exporter said lower feed costs throughout the year encouraged producers to increase placements.

"Even with fewer day-old chicks in some months, annual placements increased," the source said.

Bird flu tests sector's resilience

The Brazilian poultry sector faced a sanitary challenge in 2025 due to a case of bird flu in Rio Grande do Sul State in May, which led several trading partner countries to ban Brazilian chicken meat.

Despite delays from China and the EU in resuming imports, Brazil's poultry exports remained strong, while producers maintained production levels, leading to record output in the second half of 2025.

Brazil's Foreign Trade Agency data shows that, despite the ban, Brazil's chicken exports in 2025 reached record levels, up 0.6% from 2024.

Another exporter said the agriculture ministry and market participants did an excellent job of diversifying markets and opening new destinations during the period of restrictions.

"Market diversification was crucial to reduce the availability of chicken meat in the domestic market," the source said. "Given that poultry production did not decline."

Outlook for 2026 remains positive

The Brazilian Animal Protein Association described 2025 as a year of resilience and growth in both domestic and external markets. The association expects poultry production to rise by around 2.2% in 2026.

The president of the association, Ricardo Santin, said that 2025 ended with growth in production, export, and consumption indices.

"The same pattern is projected for 2026," said Santin. "This should occur in a scenario of adequate costs and sustained demand from both the domestic and external markets."

Platts is part of S&P Global Energy.