Brazil has secured a breakthrough in Southeast Asia with new market access to Sarawak, Malaysia, for its poultry and beef exports. The announcement came during the official visit of Sarawak’s Minister of Agriculture to Brazil, where both parties finalized an agreement on the International Sanitary Certificate (CSI) model.
In 2024, Brazil exported over 30,000 tons of poultry and beef to Malaysia, valued at around USD 67 million. The inclusion of Sarawak, which has historically maintained distinct import protocols from mainland Malaysia, is expected to significantly boost Brazil’s presence in the country’s food market. The agreement allows Brazilian exporters to comply with Sarawak’s import standards, opening new trade opportunities in the East Malaysian state, which has a population of around 2.6 million and is situated on the island of Borneo.
The approval of three Brazilian poultry facilities in Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Paraná marks a practical step forward, with all shipments adhering to Malaysia’s halal requirements despite Sarawak’s largely non-Muslim population. This development represents Brazil’s 44th new market secured in 2025, contributing to a total of 344 new market openings since early 2023. Discussions are also underway to potentially expand export access to include Brazilian pork in the future.
(Sources: Brazil Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock; The Poultry Site)
