Poultry Industry: Comparing Brazil, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia

The poultry industry is one of the most important food sectors in the world, given its vital role in achieving food security and providing animal protein at affordable prices. The efficiency and costs of this industry vary from country to country depending on production factors, natural resources, and government policies. The following is a comparison of Brazil, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia in this sector.

First: Brazil Brazil is the world’s largest producer and exporter of poultry, owing to its ability to produce at lower costs compared to many other countries. This advantage is attributed to a range of factors, most notably the fact that Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers of corn and soybeans, which make up about 90% of feed ingredients, significantly reducing feed costs. Brazil also possesses vast tracts of low-cost agricultural land, along with a temperate climate that reduces the need for cooling and heating systems within poultry farms, which directly lowers operating costs. Furthermore, the production system is fully integrated, spanning from parent stock and rearing through processing to export, ensuring high efficiency across the value chain. The industry also benefits from the availability of low-cost labor, along with comprehensive government support and extensive experience in global export markets, which has enabled Brazilian poultry to compete in various international markets.

Second: Egypt In Egypt, the production cost of one kilogram of poultry is estimated to range between 210–240 Egyptian pounds (about $1.50), while premium chicken imported from Brazil sells for about 66 pounds (about $1.36), which places significant competitive pressure on the local product. During 2025 and early 2026, Egypt’s poultry industry faces a significant production surplus crisis, with estimates indicating that total production amounts to approximately 2.4 million tons annually, with a surplus exceeding 20% of production volume—equivalent to more than 120,000 tons. According to World Poultry Magazine, this surplus creates marketing and economic challenges that affect the sector’s sustainability and producers’ profitability.

Third: Saudi Arabia As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which focuses on enhancing food security, Saudi companies have intensified their investments in the poultry industry, particularly in Brazil. Since 2023, the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) has invested approximately 1.27 billion Saudi riyals in this sector. Additionally, the Saudi Food Development Company has signed agreements to invest in the acquisition of poultry processing plants that operate in accordance with Sharia law. These investments, estimated at approximately $150 million by 2025, aim to strengthen and secure a stable, long-term supply of Brazilian poultry, thereby meeting the needs of the Saudi market and contributing to the achievement of sustainable food security.