Brazil exports about a million tons of halal poultry

Halal poultry needs to be processed under strict guidelines, which are well established in Brazil. Photo: Koos Groenewold

Brazil exported almost 1 million tons of halal chicken for Islamic countries during the first semester of 2020, according to data from ABPA (Brazilian Association of Animal Protein). Up to 40% of Brazilian exports respect these religious and sanitary standards.

The information was released this week by the “Comex do Brasil” website and shows Brazilian companies currently is the world leader on halal animal protein for both production and exports. “The Arab world is of great importance to the Brazilian economy. It is an extremely promising market and we need to strengthen our bilateral relations increasingly because this market still has a high potential”, said Ali Saifi, CEO of Cdial Halal, a certifying entity of halal practices.

The Arab world is of great importance to the Brazilian economy…”

Brazil produced and shipped about 2.3 million tons of poultry and beef in 2019. According to data from the Ministry of Economy, expectations for growth in the halal market in 2020 are 6%. According to Saifi, Brazil is a respected trade partner, especially when it comes to animal protein. He also points out that Brazil is prepared to meet market demands, but needs to devise new strategies, maintain resilience and continue with strict sanitary controls, seeking and expanding business opportunities.

Relations between Brazil and Arab go back many years and there are a relevant Muslim community and many Arabic descendants all over Brazil, mostly in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. Halal is a rule for everything that Muslim people consume – cosmetics, medicines, food, among others – and includes religious procedures as well strict sanitary control, high standards for products quality and good manufacturing practices.

Brazilian halal poultry markets

In the first half of this year, according to ABPA, exports of halal poultry reached 922,2 tons shipped. This volume is close to 40% of Brazilian exports of poultry meat (fresh and processed) during that time. In June alone 152,123 tons of halal poultry was exported of which 28,178 tons to Saudi Arabia; 17,111 tonnes to United Arab Emirates and the third largest importer was Egypt, with 13,378 tonnes.

Egypt

Just recently Egypt approved thermo-processed poultry products produced in Brazil. According to ABPA president Francisco Turra, shortly after authorization, several licenses for shipments have already been issued, in a total that already exceeds 1.500 tons. “The strong interest for Brazilian product indicates a the demand from Egyptian has a large upside in the near future”, he analyses. The African country is the 14th main poultry importer from Brazil and imported 39,100 tons between January and June this year, 27% more that in the first half of 2019.