Brazil: Double-digit growth for pork exports in Q1 of 2025
Brazil’s pork exports have reached double‑digit growth, both in the month of March as well as in the entire first quarter of 2025. Those were achieved even before the effects of the recent US tariff policies had any effect.
According to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), shipments rose by 26.6% in March 2025 and by 16.4 % in the entire January-March period. The figures are based on official data from Brazil’s ministry of foreign trade.
The early‑year performance underpins ABPA’s forecast, issued in January, that Brazil could log a third consecutive annual rise in pork exports. In 2025, shipments are estimated to grow significantly, reaching 1.45 million tons, which come down to a 7.4% increase.
Ricardo Santin, ABPA president, said, “These numbers confirm the sector’s strength in diversifying destinations, which should further support the positive projections for 2025.”
Pork export achievements in March
In terms of volume, March shipments reached 116,300 tons, up from 91,900 tons in March 2024. Export revenues grew even more sharply, totalling US$ 278 million – a 44.2 % increase on the US$ 192.8 million registered 1 year earlier.
Although average export prices have come down a bit (around 17% since their record highs in November), they remain 20% above the levels of 12 months ago.
Pork export achievements in the 1st quarterCumulative exports for the 1st quarter amounted to 336,800 tons, compared to 289,400 tons in the same period of 2024. Revenue reached US$ 789 million, a rise of 32 % on the US$ 597.7 million earned in the first quarter of last year.
Where did Brazil’s pork exports go to?
The Philippines remained the leading market in March, importing 27,000 tons – 85% more than a year earlier. China followed with 14,100 tons (‑27.3 %), then Hong Kong with 12,500 tons (+68.2 %), Japan with 9,800 tons (+83.4 %) and Chile with 8,400 tons (+12.7 %). Mexico, a recently opened market, also stood out, taking 4,600 tons and ranking eigthth among importers.
This market is particular interesting for Brazilian exporters because of the recent wave of tariffs announced by the US, the main pork supplier to Mexico. Santin concluded, “Virtually all buyer markets registered strong increases in March, many with growth well into double digits.”
