With approval from China, Paraná reinforces its leadership in chicken meat exports.

The Chinese government lifted restrictions imposed on chicken meat exports from Brazil on Friday (07). The measure has a positive impact on the sector in the State. Paraná is the national leader in chicken meat production. In the second quarter of this year, the State accounted for 558.6 million slaughtered units. This volume is equivalent to 34.1% of the country's total production during the period.

The neighboring states of Santa Catarina (13.7%) and Rio Grande do Sul (11.4%) complete the podium, reinforcing the weight of the Southern region in this segment. “China buys between 10% and 12% of all the chicken produced here in Paraná. It recognizes, once again, the agricultural health of Brazil, but especially of Paraná, which is the largest chicken producer in the country. So, the impact is very positive, mainly because China buys some products that are not widely consumed in Brazil, such as chicken feet,” said the Paraná State Secretary of Agriculture and Supply, Marcio Nunes.

He also highlighted the size of the Chinese market for these byproducts. “China is the world's largest consumer of this cartilage, which is a key component of their diet. Without a doubt, producers and the cooperative system, the integrated system that includes large companies, will have a better time,” said Marcio Nunes.

In 2024, Paraná exported 280,510 tons (280,514,615 kg) of chicken meat to China, representing 12.91% of the total 2.17 million tons (2,170,630,859 kg) exported by Paraná during that period. This volume generated revenue of US$695.46 million, out of a total of US$4.03 billion generated during the period.

In 2025, 122,450,052 kg were exported to China, generating revenue of US$301.03 million. From January to October 2025, Paraná exported a total of 1.73 million tons (1,734,987,394 kg) of chicken meat, generating revenue of US$3.07 billion. The data comes from the system of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (Comex Stat/MDIC). “China was the main destination for Paraná's chicken meat exports among 138 countries in 2024. In the accumulated period from January to October 2025, even with the suspension of exports, China still figures as one of the main destinations for Paraná's pork, occupying the third position on the list of 143 countries,” explains Priscila Cavalheiro Marcenovicz, veterinarian and technician at the Department of Rural Economy (Deral) of the Paraná State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply (Seab).

"The reopening of the Chinese market to Brazilian chicken meat is excellent news for the country and, especially, for Paraná. The measure reinforces international confidence in the quality and safety of the products."

"Brazilian poultry farming, strengthening the entire production chain. Cooperatives in Paraná, leaders in this sector, are once again taking advantage of export opportunities, generating income and strengthening regional development, as well as helping to consolidate the state of Paraná as a benchmark in efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness in the global market for this sector," says Alexandre Monteiro, analyst at the Technical Development Management of Ocepar.

Timeline

The temporary suspension of exports had been adopted by China in May of this year after the confirmation of the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on a commercial farm located in the municipality of Montenegro (RS). Since June 18, after the completion of disinfection procedures on the property and all required sanitary actions, Brazil maintains its status as a country free of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Currently, only Canada maintains a total suspension of poultry meat imports from Brazil.

Control in Paraná

The State Government, through the Paraná Agricultural Defense Agency (Adapar), is promoting training for agricultural defense inspectors and assistants to improve and update their knowledge regarding the handling of suspected poultry emergencies.

Adapar is actively working on sanitary surveillance to prevent the virus from entering the state. Currently, sample analyses are being conducted on more than 300 properties. Furthermore, if any suspected case is reported, a response is provided in less than 12 hours. Technicians are also involved in monitoring migratory birds along the state's coast and disseminating information about the precautions that owners need to take.