UAE becomes the top destination for Brazilian chicken exports in September 2026

The United Arab Emirates was the largest destination for Brazilian chicken exports in September 2026, taking 45,900 tonnes - up 23.3 percent year on year - while Saudi Arabia ranked fourth with 38,300 tonnes, as Gulf demand kept Brazilian shipments above 500,000 tonnes for the month.

The monthly figures were released on 7 October 2026 by ABPA, the Brazilian Animal Protein Association. Brazil shipped 500,300 tonnes of fresh and processed chicken in September, 3.7 percent more than in September 2025, with export revenue up 14.7 percent to US$984.2 million. The European Union was the second-largest destination, China third and Japan fifth.

September 2025 was still distorted by import suspensions that followed outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Brazil, so the year-on-year comparison flatters this year's numbers; ABPA president Ricardo Santin described the market as having since normalised. On the European side, ABPA said the volumes shipped to the EU had been produced and certified by 2 September, the day before the bloc's temporary suspension of Brazilian product took effect.

• UAE: 45,900 tonnes in September, up 23.3 percent year on year - the single largest destination for Brazilian chicken.
• Saudi Arabia: 38,300 tonnes, up 7.4 percent - fourth-largest destination, behind the EU (second) and China (third), ahead of Japan (fifth).
• Monthly total: 500,300 tonnes, up 3.7 percent, worth US$984.2 million, up 14.7 percent.
• Nine-month total: 4.4 million tonnes, up 14 percent; export value US$8.6 billion, up 21 percent on January-September 2025.
• Context: Brazil is the world's largest chicken exporter, and the Gulf remains one of its most reliable outlets even as it diversifies into Asia and Africa.

For buyers in the Gulf, the direction of travel is worth noting: Brazilian volumes into the region keep growing, and the whole bird and cut mix is being competed for by more origins - including duty-free Eurasian suppliers since the EAEU-UAE agreement took effect this month. Contract terms, certification and cold-chain performance matter as much as the price line when supply is this competitive.

Nau International Food Group supplies halal frozen poultry and frozen meat from HACCP-certified, GACC-registered plants, with halal certificates, veterinary health certificates and certificates of origin issued for each shipment. We arrange customs clearance and delivery into Dubai and onward distribution across the Gulf, Africa and Central Asia. For specifications, packing data and current offers, write to info@naufoodgroup.com.

Source: ABPA (Brazilian Animal Protein Association) monthly export data, released 7 October 2026, reported by ANBA - Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, 7 October 2026.