Industry Trends
Kazakhstan imported 13,800 tonnes of Chinese poultry in the first half of 2026, 570 percent more than a year earlier, at an average of US$961 per tonne, the cheapest among its main suppliers. China's poultry shipments to Russia also overtook Russian shipments to China in August.
China suspended imports from 14 Santa Catarina plants on 20 October 2026 after Newcastle disease was confirmed on a turkey farm, and Chile and Mexico also restricted Brazilian product. Saudi Arabia is expected to limit its own ban to the same state.
Mexico suspended imports of Brazilian chicken meat, offal, fertile eggs and live birds from 19 October 2026 after Newcastle disease was confirmed on a turkey farm in Santa Catarina. It is the second major market to close to Brazilian poultry this week.
USDA's Dubai post reports UAE consumer-oriented food imports of $17.7 billion in 2025, up 9.3 percent, and grocery retail sales above $20 billion, up 6.3 percent. Retail growth of about 3 percent is projected for 2026.
Brazil suspended poultry exports to China from 19 October 2026 after Newcastle disease was confirmed at a commercial turkey unit in Santa Catarina. The state accounts for around 15% of Brazilian poultry output, and China took about 10% of Brazil's chicken exports in the first nine months of the year.
FAO's meat price index averaged 127.9 points in September 2026, down 1.1% month on month, as poultry quotations eased on ample Brazilian export supply and weaker EU import demand. Feed grains moved the other way: maize rose 5.6% to a more than three-year high and wheat 6.3%, with freight and fuel uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz adding to costs.
