Porto Alegre, June 26, 2026 – The performance of Brazilian swine exports in May 2026 remained positive and consistent, although it showed a slowdown compared to April. During the month, Brazil exported 125.854 thousand metric tons, generating US$293.074 million in revenue, at an average price of US$2,370.91 per metric ton. Although this result represents a decline from April—when export volume reached 135.993 thousand metric tons and revenue totaled US$318.335 million—May’s performance is still considered solid from a historical perspective. In May 2025, Brazil had exported 115.938 thousand metric tons.
The decline observed between April and May mainly reflects a normalization following a stronger previous month, without indicating any structural loss of competitiveness. In April, the average price was slightly higher, at approximately US$2,383.89 per metric ton, reinforcing that the slowdown occurred in both volume and value, although only moderately. This dynamic is consistent with the seasonal patterns of the international protein trade, in which monthly fluctuations are common and do not compromise the broader trend.
In May, exports remained concentrated in key markets, with the Philippines maintaining its position as the leading destination, accounting for 20.59% of total shipments, equivalent to 25.909 thousand metric tons and US$62.089 million in revenue. The average price of US$2,235.71 per metric ton reflects the characteristics of this market as a high-volume destination with greater price sensitivity, playing a fundamental role in sustaining Brazil’s export flow.
Japan remained the second-largest market, accounting for 12.05% of exports and importing 15.159 thousand metric tons. Unlike the Philippines, the Asian country stood out for its high value-added profile, recording an average price of US$3,374.60 per metric ton, one of the highest among all destinations. This result reinforces the strategic importance of premium markets to export revenues, contributing to a higher overall average export price.
China, with a 7.05% share and 8.875 thousand metric tons imported, posted a relevant, although more moderate, performance compared to previous periods. The average price of US$2,283.36 per metric ton remained close to the global average, indicating stability in the trade relationship despite possible adjustments in Chinese demand throughout the year.
Other important markets, including Chile, Mexico, and Hong Kong, maintained significant shares and consistent performances, reinforcing the geographical diversification of Brazilian exports. At the same time, smaller destinations such as Vietnam, Argentina, Uruguay, and several African countries continue to play a strategic role in expanding Brazil’s international presence and diversifying commercial risk.
An analysis of average prices reveals a clear pattern of market segmentation. While more demanding destinations, such as Japan and South Korea, posted significantly higher prices, other markets prioritized volume, operating with more competitive price levels. This reflects a well-defined strategy by Brazil’s export sector, which seeks both economies of scale and maximum value addition.
Overall, despite the slowdown compared to April, May 2026 can be classified as another strong and consistent month. The results demonstrate the sector’s ability to maintain high export levels even after an exceptionally strong previous month, while also highlighting its resilience in the face of normal fluctuations in international markets.
In summary, Brazil’s pork industry continues to display solid fundamentals, supported by strong global market participation, diversified export destinations, and the ability to adapt to varying market demands. The slight decline recorded in May should be viewed as a temporary adjustment within a broader trend of stability and competitiveness, leaving a positive outlook for the coming months.
Looking at the cumulative results for January through May 2026, the data further reinforce the industry’s growth trajectory. Total export volume reached 642.320 thousand metric tons, representing an increase of approximately 14.3% compared to the same period in 2025, when 561.769 thousand metric tons were exported. In terms of revenue, growth was also significant, increasing from US$1.346 billion in 2025 to US$1.527 billion in 2026, equivalent to an increase of approximately 13.5%. These results point to consistent expansion in both volume and value, despite variations across individual export destinations.
Among the principal markets, significant growth was recorded in several strategic destinations. The Philippines remain the primary driver of exports, with shipment volume increasing by approximately 47% (from 123.2 thousand to 181.4 thousand metric tons), accompanied by strong revenue growth, consolidating the country as Brazil’s largest trading partner.
Japan also posted remarkable growth, with export volume increasing by approximately 77%, rising from 42.4 thousand to 75.1 thousand metric tons, along with a substantial increase in export revenues, reflecting sustained premium prices and stronger demand for higher-value products.
On the other hand, several traditional markets experienced slower demand. China recorded a significant decline of approximately 34% in volume (from 80.5 thousand to 52.9 thousand metric tons), accompanied by a proportional reduction in revenues, signaling an important shift in its demand profile. Similar declines were observed in Hong Kong, where export volume fell by approximately 24%, and in Singapore, which recorded a decrease of roughly 26%, indicating adjustments in the import dynamics of these markets.
Conversely, other destinations continued to grow steadily. Chile posted an increase of approximately 11% in export volume, while Uruguay recorded moderate growth of around 4%, reflecting stable and strengthening regional trade relations. Markets such as Angola also increased their import volumes, albeit on a smaller scale, contributing to the broader geographical diversification of Brazilian pork exports.
Overall, the January-May 2026 cumulative results point to a robust expansion, driven primarily by growth in key Asian markets and the maintenance of competitive pricing. The combination of significant volume increases in strategic destinations and declining shipments to more traditional markets indicates a strategic redistribution of exports, reinforcing Brazil’s ability to adapt to shifts in global demand.
Thus, despite occasional monthly fluctuations and changes among trading partners, the cumulative performance for the year confirms a positive outlook for Brazil’s pork sector, with consistent growth in both export volume and revenue while maintaining strong competitiveness in the international market.
