sao paulo jan 7 reuters  brazilian poultry exports rose 9 by volume in 2021 to a record 46 million tonnes industry group abpa said on friday as diversifying destinations offset a drop in shipments to top importer china asia brought in 164 million tonnes of brazilian poultry in 2021 a 05 annual rise even as china imports fell by 5 to 640000 tonnes higher sales to japan and the philippines helped offset the chinese drop abpa said despite the slight decrease in 2021 china remains the top destination for brazils poultry exports and is expected to retain this position abpas head ricardo santin said middle east countries bought 133 million tonnes of brazilian poultry last year down 03 from 2020 abpa added while exports to africa rose 192 to 662300 tonnes shipments to the european union were up 132 at 193200 tonnes for 2022 santin said brazils poultry sector expects to keep increasing its market share of global exports noting that some competitors are facing relevant healthrelated issues a highly pathogenic bird flu has been spreading quickly in asia and europe in recent months putting the industry on alert after previous outbreaks led to the culling of tens of millions of birds fifteen countries had reported outbreaks of bird flu in poultry between october and the end of december mostly the h5n1 strain according to the world organization for animal health oie read more countries such as japan and the united arab emirates are expected to remain among brazils top clients abpa added reporting by roberto samora writing by gabriel araujo editing by kirsten donovan