Brazil posts strong january growth in chicken and pork exports.

Brazil began the year with strong export performance in both chicken and pork, setting new records for January and reinforcing the country’s position as a leading global supplier of animal protein.

Data from the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein shows rising shipment volumes and export revenues despite the month traditionally being a period of weaker international demand.

Chicken meat exports, covering both fresh and processed products, reached 459,000 tonnes in January. This marked a record for the month and represented a 3.6 percent increase compared with the same period last year. Export revenue also reached a new January high, totalling US$874.2 million, up 5.8 percent from US$826.4 million recorded a year earlier.

The United Arab Emirates remained the largest destination for Brazilian chicken, importing 44,300 tonnes, a rise of 14 percent year on year. South Africa followed with 36,800 tonnes, showing strong growth of 34 percent, while Saudi Arabia imported 33,500 tonnes. China also received 33,500 tonnes, although volumes declined sharply compared with last year. Japan, the European Union, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, and Chile all posted increases, highlighting broad based demand across multiple regions.

At state level, Paraná led chicken exports with shipments of 187,700 tonnes, followed by Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. São Paulo and Goiás also recorded growth, contributing to the overall strong performance.

“The record performance with increases in practically all major destinations, during a period of typically reduced demand, such as the month of January, signals optimistic prospects for 2026. This indicates sustained growth in several importing markets, especially in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, the countries of the European Union and certain Asian markets with significant demand,” advises the president of ABPA, Ricardo Santin.

Pork exports also reached record levels in January. Shipments totalled 116,300 tonnes, an increase of 9.7 percent compared with the same month last year. Export revenue rose to US$270.2 million, up 13.6 percent and the highest January result on record.

The Philippines remained the leading market for Brazilian pork, followed by Japan and Hong Kong. Santa Catarina was the largest exporting state, while Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná recorded strong growth.

"The trend that occurred throughout 2025 continues this year, with a decentralization of shipments from China to new destinations, including the Philippines and other high value-added markets, such as Japan. The record balance in January points to a positive flow again in 2026," emphasizes the president of ABPA, Ricardo Santin.

Aviagen strengthens Malaysia’s poultry industry. (Image credit: Avinews Asia)

Aviagen has reaffirmed its commitment to the Malaysian poultry sector by sponsoring the 2026 reprint of the ‘Guidebook on the Malaysian Poultry Industry – The Way Forward’.

The publication is widely recognised as an important reference tool for policymakers, researchers, and industry participants, helping to guide structured and coordinated development across the national poultry value chain.

The updated guidebook was officially launched during a seminar held in Kuala Lumpur on January 22, 2026. The event was organised by the Malaysian Productivity Corporation and the Agro Food Productivity Nexus, working in collaboration with the Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia. The seminar, titled ‘Transforming the Poultry Industry Through Productivity, Technology, and Talent’, attracted more than 100 participants from across the poultry sector, including integrators, farmers, feed manufacturers, suppliers, and government officials.

As part of the programme, Aviagen demonstrated its commitment to openness and knowledge sharing through a virtual presentation titled ‘Poultry Breeding for Better Performance and Disease Prevention’. The session was delivered by Dominic Elfick, Marketing Manager for Aviagen Asia Pacific. During the presentation, Aviagen outlined its balanced breeding philosophy, highlighting the importance of sustainable traits, bird welfare, and consistent long term performance in building resilient poultry production systems.

Aviagen’s role in advancing industry best practices was further recognised during the event when the company was cited by the Department of Veterinary Services as a leading example of compartmentalisation. The department encouraged broader adoption of this approach, which is based on shared management standards and strong biosecurity practices across groups of production units. Compartmentalisation plays a key role in allowing international trade to continue during the event of a notifiable disease outbreak.

Keat Fu, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian for Aviagen Asia, attended the seminar alongside other members of the Aviagen team. He noted that the event provided valuable opportunities to engage directly with industry stakeholders. Feedback from attendees reflected strong support for Aviagen’s focus on sustainable performance, welfare centred breeding strategies, and close collaboration with the wider poultry industry in Malaysia.

Ceva marks a century of progress against newcastle disease.

Ceva Animal Health is preparing to mark an important milestone as it commemorates 100 years since Newcastle disease was first identified on the island of Java.

This moment represents the starting point of a century long scientific effort to understand, manage, and control one of the most significant poultry diseases worldwide.

For Ceva, the fight against Newcastle disease is more than a scientific challenge. The company views it as a shared responsibility passed down through generations, with researchers, veterinarians, and poultry professionals all playing a role as guardians in this ongoing battle. Each contribution, past and present, has helped shape the collective knowledge and progress made over the last hundred years.

To honour this legacy, Ceva will host a special event titled ‘100 Years with Newcastle Disease’. The meeting will take place from February 10 to 12, 2026, in Bogor, Indonesia, close to where the disease was first described. The location has been chosen to reflect both the historical significance of Java and the continued global relevance of Newcastle disease today.

According to a joint statement from Mustafa Seçkin Sandikli, Global Poultry Director, and Christophe Cazaban, Poultry Scientific Director, the event will bring together a carefully selected group of leading Newcastle disease researchers alongside senior poultry health and laboratory experts from around the world. The aim is to create an open forum for sharing knowledge, exchanging experiences, and discussing future directions in disease prevention and control.

“Returning to Java, where the story began, we aim to create a meaningful space to reflect on the past, understand today and connect our efforts for the decades ahead,” they said.

The event is expected to highlight both historical achievements and future opportunities in the global fight against Newcastle disease.

Indonesia boosts dairy industry through cow imports.

Indonesia has increased its efforts to strengthen domestic milk production by importing 1,383 additional dairy cows from Australia, according to agriculture officials.

The move forms part of a long term plan valued at US$3 bn aimed at dramatically expanding the country’s dairy sector and reducing reliance on imports.

The initiative focuses on encouraging small scale farmers to become key contributors to national milk output. Officials hope the strategy will help Indonesia quadruple its current production capacity while supporting rural livelihoods and improving food security.

Facing budget constraints, the government has taken an unconventional approach by urging private companies to finance livestock purchases. This policy has sparked debate within the business community, particularly as Indonesia continues to balance economic growth with investor confidence.

 Agung Suganda, the ministry's director general of livestock and animal health, said,"These cattle are not only an addition to the population. They are a strategic investment to strengthen the foundation of national milk production from smallholder farms."

The dairy expansion programme plays a central role in Indonesia’s free meals scheme, which aims to provide nutrition to 83 million children and expectant mothers. To meet rising demand, the plan calls for the import of one million dairy cows over five years, a significant increase from the current population of around 220,000.

The agriculture ministry explained that the cattle imports involve joint shipments and breeding partnerships between cooperatives and farmers. Since last year, this collaborative model has been designed to ensure that milk produced by smallholders feeds directly into the processing industry, offering stability and predictable supply.

The latest shipment arrived at the port city of Cilacap in Central Java and is now undergoing strict health protocols. "To ensure safety, a 14-day quarantine period will be ... followed by sample collection to detect diseases such as lumpy skin disease and foot-and-mouth disease," said Hendra Wibawa, an animal health official at the ministry.

Private firm Lunar Chemplast imported 1,094 cows, while Mazaraat Lokanatura Indonesia purchased the remaining animals. The ministry also revealed that Indonesia imported 33,955 cows in 2025, with 13,544 designated for dairy production and the rest for beef.

The government believes the programme will reshape Indonesia’s dairy industry and strengthen long term food resilience.