Brazil poultry production rises despite fewer harvests

Brazilian poultry production totaled 3.74 million metric tons in the second quarter of 2026, rising 5.1% year over year and 0.1% quarter over quarter, according to preliminary data released Aug. 19 by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, or IBGE.

During the second quarter, 1.69 billion birds were harvested, according to IBGE data, down 1.2% from the previous quarter but up 2.8% from Q2 2025.

Market participants said the quarter-over-quarter decline in harvest volumes had been widely expected following lower day-old chick placements observed in previous months.

"Chick placements reduced during [Q2]," an industry participant said.

Despite expectations for lower placements, sources said average broiler weights remained elevated during the quarter, helping sustain overall chicken meat production.

"There was no reduction in average broiler weights," a Brazilian exporter said. "On the contrary, some packers allowed birds to gain more weight."

The average weight of harvested broilers reached 2.22 kilograms/head in Q2, up 1.3% from the previous quarter and 2.2% higher year over year, according to IBGE. In May, the indicator reached a record 2.224 kg/head.

On a half-year basis, Brazilian chicken meat production totaled 7.47 million mt, up 6% from the same period in 2025. During the same period, the number of birds harvested increased 3.2%, while average bird weights rose 2.7%.

Looking at Q3, a Brazilian producer said sales of day-old chicks by major industry participants increased in July, which could signal lower placement levels by those companies in the coming months. However, the source said it had not received information indicating a reduction in breeder numbers.

"There is an oversupply of chicks in the market, but there has been no culling of breeders," the source said, adding that uncertainty remains regarding the potential for lower production in the third quarter.

Production forecasts from the Brazilian Animal Protein Association, or ABPA, published on July 28, point to a 5.6% year over year increase in Brazilian poultry production in 2026.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed the Brazil boneless chicken leg price at $1,883/mt FCA Paranagua Aug. 18, up $110/mt from Aug. 17. The assessment was based on a trade heard at $2,000/mt CIF Tokyo ($1,960/mt CFR equivalent).