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Sadia integrates into the portfolio of MBRF, a company based in Itajaí that closed the first quarter of 2026 with a net profit of R$ 111 million, revenue of R$ 39.5 billion, and progress in poultry and pork exports to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, driven by global demand for proteins.
Sadia returned to the center of MBRF’s results in the first quarter of 2026, a period in which the meat giant based in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, recorded a net profit of R$ 111 million. The balance sheet was released on May 14, 2026, and showed progress in exports.
According to the portal nd+, the company, owner of brands such as Sadia, Perdigão, and Qualy, operates in the animal protein sector and reported net revenue of R$ 39.5 billion between January and March. The performance was driven by global demand for proteins, with a focus on poultry and pork sent to markets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
MBRF starts 2026 with profit and billion-dollar revenue
The MBRF closed the first quarter of 2026 with a net profit of R$ 111 million, a result 26% higher than the same period of the previous year. The net revenue reached R$ 39.5 billion, while the EBITDA reached R$ 3.1 billion.
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The result shows a positive start for the company in 2026, especially in a global scenario of high demand for proteins. The company highlighted its ability to direct products to markets with higher profitability, which helped sustain performance in the quarter.
The presence of well-known brands, such as Sadia, Perdigão, and Qualy, enhances the company’s strength in the Brazilian market. At the same time, international progress shows that MBRF’s strategy does not rely solely on domestic consumption.
The protein sector is sensitive to exchange rates, logistical costs, external demand, and market openings. Therefore, a quarter with growth in exports gains weight in the market’s view, especially when it involves strategic regions.
Exports of poultry and pork advance in strategic markets
MBRF reported that it resumed poultry shipments to the European Union and increased chicken shipments to China from Rio Grande do Sul. In March, the company recorded a record in direct exports of poultry and pork.
Compared to the previous quarter, shipments to Europe grew by 43%, while exports to Asia advanced by 18%. These numbers indicate a significant improvement in the company’s international presence.
Advancing in different regions reduces dependence on a single buyer market. For a company the size of MBRF, diversifying destinations can help balance risks and take advantage of demand windows in countries with higher protein consumption.
Sadia also appears in this international movement through the Sadia Halal operation, aimed at markets that require specific production and certification standards. This segment is especially important for Middle Eastern countries.
Middle East gains strength with Sadia Halal operation
The Middle East remained one of the company’s strategic markets in the quarter. During Ramadan, a period of higher consumption in Islamic countries, MBRF recorded the highest sales volume in its history in the region.
The Sadia Halal operation ended the quarter with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.6%. This performance reinforces the importance of products adapted to the cultural, religious, and commercial requirements of specific markets.
The strategy shows how Brazilian brands can gain scale when combining volume, certification, and local presence. In the case of the Middle East, the demand for proteins remains strong and opens up space for companies capable of meeting halal standards regularly.
This type of operation also requires strict control of production, logistics, and commercial relationships. It’s not enough to export; it’s necessary to maintain trust, predictability, and delivery capability during periods of higher consumption.
Brazilian market and North America also weigh on the result
In Brazil, the company reported an increase in presence at points of sale and integration of the beef portfolio. This movement is relevant because it connects popular brands to the national retail, keeping the company present in the daily consumption routine of families.
Sadia, in this context, continues to be one of the group’s most visible brands. Even with the strength of exports, the domestic market remains important to sustain volume, distribution, and brand recognition.
In North America, the beef operation recorded revenue of $3.5 billion, an increase of 6.9% compared to the same period in 2025. This data reinforces the company’s presence outside Brazil and shows the breadth of MBRF’s portfolio.
This diversification between poultry, pork, beef, domestic market, and exports helps explain the company’s size. The company operates on different fronts, which can smooth out fluctuations in a specific segment.
Synergies and efficiency enter the center of the strategy
In addition to the increase in sales, MBRF reported gains in internal efficiency and synergy programs. In the first quarter, R$ 126 million in operational synergies and R$ 296 million were captured through the MBRF+ program.
These numbers indicate that the company also seeks to improve results internally, reducing costs and increasing productivity. In a competitive sector, operational efficiency can weigh as much as revenue growth.
The company also highlighted its presence in the B3 Corporate Sustainability Index and international recognitions related to climate, water management, and deforestation combat.
These points are increasingly on the radar of global investors and buyers. In international markets, financial performance and sustainability criteria are becoming intertwined in the evaluation of large food companies.
What the result indicates for the meat giant
The beginning of 2026 shows MBRF in a moment of progress, with profit, billion-dollar revenue, rising exports, and strong brands in the portfolio. Sadia appears as one of the main showcases of this set, especially in markets where the brand is already recognized.
At the same time, the performance reinforces the weight of Brazilian exports of proteins. Europe, Asia, and the Middle East appear as important destinations for poultry and pork, while global demand helps sustain growth.
The challenge now is to maintain the pace in a market subject to cost, exchange rate, consumption, and sanitary requirements variations. The company started the year with positive results, but the sector requires constant adaptation to preserve margins and competitiveness.
Do you think brands like Sadia, Perdigão, and Qualy help Brazil gain more strength in the global food market, or does progress depend more on price, scale, and logistics? Leave your opinion in the comments.
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