Fried chicken legs and wings are displayed at a shop in a traditional market in Seoul on May 20. /Yonhap

Small restaurant owners in South Korea serving chicken dishes are voicing frustration after the government banned Brazilian chicken and egg imports on May 18 due to a bird flu outbreak in Brazil, with posts like “Kkanpunggi is off the menu for now” and “Boneless fried chicken is sold out” appearing online.

Not just small eateries but also major family dining chains, catering companies, and chicken and burger franchises are scrambling to respond. Brazilian chicken has long been a major part of Korea’s food supply, and the sudden import ban is now exposing just how heavily the industry depends on it.

Brazilian chicken has been part of the Korean market for nearly two decades. Until the early 2000s, most imported poultry came from the United States and Thailand. But after avian flu outbreaks in both countries in 2004 led to import suspensions, Brazil quickly filled the gap.

In 2005, Brazilian chicken accounted for just 1.9% of South Korea’s poultry imports. Within a decade, that figure surged, and by the mid-2010s, Brazil supplied over 90% of all imported chicken consumed in Korea.

Industry insiders point to two main reasons why Brazilian chicken dominates Korea’s import market. First is price. Brazilian chicken costs about 60 to 70% of domestic chicken. Brazil uses a factory-style system integrating hatching, farming, processing, and sales. Companies supply chicks and feed to farms, while also controlling feed amounts and facilities uniformly. Feed and labor costs are about 70 to 80% of Korea’s, keeping production expenses low. This large-scale method has made Brazil the world’s largest chicken exporter, producing 14% of the global supply. An industry source said, “There are few alternatives that can compete with Brazilian chicken on price.”

Brazilian chicken is favored for its versatility. Much of it is imported in specific cuts or as boneless meat, making it easier for restaurants to use. About 60 to 70% comes from the Cobb breed, common in Korea, but Brazilian chickens are raised for around 40 days, longer than Korea’s 30 days. This results in heavier birds, weighing 2 to 2.4 kg compared to Korea’s average of 1.6 kg. An industry official said, “Brazilian chicken arrives in various cuts, with a large portion as boneless meat, making it popular among foodservice providers.”

Frozen for 50 to 60 days in transit, Brazilian chicken is considered less fresh than refrigerated local poultry but is widely used for its low cost and versatility among Chinese restaurants, family dining chains, burger franchises, and boneless chicken brands.

The foodservice industry is anxiously watching how long the Brazilian chicken import ban will last. Mom’s Touch, a burger and chicken chain using Brazilian chicken, said it has about two months’ supply left and plans to diversify its suppliers for stable procurement. Convenience store chain CU, which uses Brazilian chicken in boneless chicken dishes, chicken gangjeong, and chicken gimbap, is considering switching to Thai chicken and adjusting recipes if the ban prolongs. Fried chicken franchises like Gcova Chicken and Norang Tongdak are also seeking alternative foreign suppliers.