EU imports of poultry products from Brazil increased in the first two months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, figures show.

40,882t (volume, carcass weight) of poultry was imported to the EU from Brazil in January 2026, up 16.2% on January 2025, according to the European Commission.

30,653t was imported from Brazil in February 2026, up from 23,380t in February 2025, a 31% increase.

Total EU imports of poultry in January 2026 were up 0.6% on the same month last year, reaching 89,679t, and the February 2026 import figure was 76,676t.

Imports from Ukraine reached 16,142t in January 2026, which grew by 9.9% compared to January 2025. Additionally, 18,968t was imported from Ukraine in February 2026.

Imports from Thailand increased by 5.9% to 15,859 in January 2026.

Imports from the UK dropped to 10,534t in January 2026 compared to 18,140t in January 2025.

Brazil ban

Brazil remains to be one of the world's leading exporters of poultry products.

Imports from Brazil, Ukraine, the UK, and Thailand account for the majority of EU poultry imports.

The European Commission however confirmed recently that Brazil will no longer be authorised to export a range of animal products, including poultry, to the EU from September 3.

Following a vote by member states, the commission released an 'updated list of third countries authorised to export food-producing animals and animal products to the EU.'

The countries on the list have proven their compliance with the EU restrictions on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals.

The list includes over 90 countries, including the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, but not Brazil.

The rules on imports will apply from September 3, 2026, meaning that imports from Brazil may not be accepted from that date.

EU exports

In January 2026, the EU exported 160,025t of poultry, and 163,771t in February 2026.

The UK, Ghana and Vietnam are among the key markets for EU exports of poultry products.

Market measures

According to the European Commission, the EU does not routinely intervene in poultry markets, "however exceptional market support measures are possible in cases of animal diseases and a loss of consumer confidence".

"The EU has marketing standards for poultry; these are designed to improve the quality of the product, protect the consumer and make sure that standards are consistent throughout the EU market place," the commission said.

"These standards lay down detailed rules that poultry products must satisfy in order to be marketed in the EU."

In general, they provide for:

Sales descriptions;
Quality grading;
Limits of technically unavoidable water content in poultry meat absorbed during processing;
Definitions and labelling of various alternative methods of poultry production.

Poultry produced outside of the EU and imported is subject to licenses.

"Imports are only allowed if they comply with EU animal health and food safety standards," the commission said.