Brazil's poultry exports to Argentina surge 9x in 3 years

Brazilian exports of poultry meat and offal (0207) to Argentina have skyrocketed, registering a staggering 917% increase between 2023 and 2025. This is not a minor market fluctuation; it is a fundamental reshaping of a key regional agribusiness trade route. The total value leaped from just under US$4 million to over US$40.5 million in three years, signaling a durable trend that demands the attention of producers, importers, and logistics operators across the Mercosur bloc. This explosive growth positions Argentina as a primary expansion market for Brazil's world-class poultry industry.

Year by year

The trajectory of this growth reveals a dramatic acceleration. The trend began from a modest base of US$3.99 million in 2023. In 2024, exports saw a healthy expansion, rising by 27.8% to reach US$5.1 million. This initial growth set the stage for the massive surge that followed.

The defining moment in this three-year period was the jump from 2024 to 2025. In a single year, exports exploded by 696%—a nearly eightfold increase—to a remarkable US$40.58 million. This exponential leap cemented the trend, moving beyond incremental gains to represent a structural shift in demand from the neighboring market.

What's sustaining the move

Several structural factors underpin this remarkable export performance. First, Brazil’s highly competitive production costs and massive scale give its poultry sector an inherent advantage. As a global leader in poultry, Brazilian producers can rapidly scale up output to meet sudden demand spikes from partners like Argentina, which may be facing its own domestic supply constraints or shifts in consumer preference.

Second, the logistical advantages are undeniable. The shared border and established land-based transport corridors within Mercosur allow for faster and often more cost-effective delivery compared to sourcing from more distant global suppliers. This proximity minimizes transit times and spoilage risk for refrigerated and frozen products.

Finally, macroeconomic conditions, including favorable exchange rates, have likely played a significant role. A competitive Brazilian Real against the US dollar enhances the price attractiveness of Brazilian products in international markets, including for Argentine buyers. This financial tailwind makes Brazilian poultry an even more compelling option.

Practical implications

This sustained surge carries significant consequences for all players in the value chain. For Brazilian exporters, Argentina has transformed from a secondary, opportunistic market into a core strategic partner. This necessitates a more dedicated approach, including long-term contract negotiations, tailored product offerings, and potentially establishing local commercial support within Argentina. Companies that previously allocated minimal resources to this market must now reconsider their South American strategy.

For Argentine importers and distributors, the massive influx of Brazilian poultry represents both an opportunity and a challenge. It ensures a stable and high-volume supply, likely at competitive prices, helping to meet domestic demand. However, it also increases reliance on a single external source, introducing concentration risk. Smart importers will seek to build relationships with a diversified portfolio of Brazilian suppliers to maintain negotiating leverage.

The logistics sector faces the most immediate pressure. The exponential growth in volume places immense strain on refrigerated transport capacity, warehousing, and customs clearance infrastructure at key border crossings. Freight forwarders and trucking companies that can offer reliable, high-capacity cold chain solutions for Brazil-Argentina routes are positioned for substantial growth.

Source: MDIC ComexStat

What this means for you

For exporters: Re-evaluate logistics capacity for Mercosur land routes, particularly refrigerated transport, ahead of the coming quarters to secure favorable rates. For importers: Diversify your supplier contacts within Brazil's southern states (Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul) to mitigate concentration risk and improve price negotiation leverage.

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