Frozen chicken leg quarters are one of the most traded poultry products in the world. They are affordable, versatile and easy to portion, so wholesalers, processors and food service buyers order them in full containers every month. Brazil is a leading origin for this cut. This guide explains what an importer should specify, how the product is packed, how much fits in a reefer container and which documents arrive with each shipment.
If you are new to the product, start with our frozen chicken leg quarters product page. It lists the standard specification we offer. You can also browse the full frozen chicken range to compare cuts.
What a chicken leg quarter is
A leg quarter is the whole leg of the bird with part of the back attached. It includes the thigh and the drumstick in one piece. Plants trim excess fat and loose skin before freezing. Some buyers ask for the back portion to be removed, while others prefer it on for weight and price.
The cut is popular for three simple reasons:
- It costs less per kilo than breast meat, so it suits price-sensitive markets.
- It can be sold whole, or split at the joint into drumsticks and thighs.
- Dark meat holds moisture well, which suits grilling, frying and stewing.
Large volumes go to West Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia. Our Africa market page and Americas market page show typical routes and transit times for those buyers.
Specifications to agree in writing
"Grade A" is a commercial term rather than a legal grade. Put the details in the contract so both sides mean the same thing. The main points for frozen chicken leg quarters are:
- Weight range per piece: common ranges are 250–350 g and 300–400 g.
- Back portion: back on, or back off.
- Trim: excess fat and skin removed, no feathers, clean cut at the joint.
- Appearance: no bruises, broken bones or blood spots beyond the agreed tolerance.
- Temperature: core temperature of −18 °C or colder at loading.
- Glazing: state the maximum ice glaze, if any, so you pay for meat and not water.
- Shelf life: usually 24 months from production when kept frozen.
- Halal: say whether the cargo must be Halal slaughtered and certified.
A clear specification protects both parties. It also makes any later quality claim much simpler, because inspectors check against written criteria.
Block frozen or IQF packing
Brazilian plants pack leg quarters in two main ways. Each suits a different kind of customer.
Block frozen leg quarters are packed raw into a poly-lined carton and frozen as one block. The standard carton holds 15 kg. Block packing is efficient and keeps the price low. It suits wholesalers and processors who thaw full cartons at once.
IQF (individually quick frozen) leg quarters are frozen piece by piece before packing. Pieces stay separate, so a customer can take out only what is needed. IQF suits retail repacking and food service, where portion control matters.
Ask for the carton label details in advance. A typical label shows the plant's SIF number, product name, net weight, production date, expiry date and storage temperature. Markets such as the Middle East may also require Arabic text and a Halal logo.
How many tonnes fit in a 40ft reefer
Leg quarters ship in 40ft high-cube reefer containers. A full load is usually about 27 metric tonnes. Some programmes load up to around 28.6 tonnes, depending on carton type and the weight limits on the route.
Before you order, check the maximum gross weight allowed on roads at your destination. Some countries have strict axle limits. If the limit is low, a lighter load avoids fines and delays at the port.
You can read more about reefer settings, ports and transit times on our shipping and logistics page. Brazilian leg quarters usually leave from Paranaguá, Santos, Itajaí or Rio Grande. Sea transit to West Africa is often 15 to 30 days, and to the Caribbean 10 to 25 days.
Plant approval and documents
Every export plant in Brazil works under the federal inspection service, known as SIF, run by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA). Many destinations also keep their own list of approved plants. Always confirm that the plant's SIF number is approved for your country before you sign. Our certifications and quality page explains how we check this.
A standard document set for frozen chicken leg quarters includes:
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Full set of bills of lading marked "Freight Prepaid"
- International health certificate issued by MAPA
- Certificate of origin
- Halal certificate, when required
- Marine insurance certificate for 110% of the invoice value, on CIF terms
- SGS certificate of quality and quantity, and a batch list
Customs offices classify the product under the Harmonized System. Leg quarters normally fall under HS 0207.14, which covers frozen cuts and offal of chicken. The World Customs Organization explains how the HS works. Your local tariff adds more digits after the first six.
Market outlook for buyers
Brazil is described by the US Department of Agriculture as the largest chicken meat exporter in the world. Its latest Brazil Poultry and Products Annual report forecasts higher production and exports in 2026. For importers, steady supply from a large origin means more choice of plants and loading dates.
Prices still move with feed costs, exchange rates, freight rates and demand in large markets. Short price validity on offers is normal for this reason. Plan your orders a few weeks ahead, especially before peak seasons such as Ramadan and the year-end holidays.
How ordering works with MARYTHUR LTD
We follow a clear 16-step working procedure. It starts with your Letter of Intent and our Full Corporate Offer. Then come your purchase order and a signed Sale and Purchase Agreement.
Our only payment terms are T/T: 30–50% deposit + balance on arrival. You pay the deposit only after we send the carrier booking confirmation and the proforma invoice. You can verify the booking directly with the shipping line first. SGS inspects quality and quantity at loading. You pay the balance within 15 business days of arrival at your port.
Payments go only to the MARYTHUR LTD account at HSBC UK. Our payment and buyer security page explains how to check our company details before you pay.
Ready to plan a container? Request a quote with your weight range, packing type, destination port and monthly volume.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard carton weight for frozen chicken leg quarters?
The most common carton is 15 kg of block-frozen leg quarters in a poly-lined carton. IQF leg quarters are also packed in cartons, and other weights can be agreed in the contract.
How many tonnes of leg quarters fit in one 40ft reefer container?
A full 40ft high-cube reefer usually carries about 27 metric tonnes. Some programmes load up to around 28.6 tonnes, depending on cartons and the road weight limits at destination.
What is the shelf life of frozen leg quarters?
Shelf life is usually 24 months from the production date, as long as the product is stored at −18 °C or colder. The production and expiry dates are printed on every carton.
Can Brazilian leg quarters be supplied Halal?
Yes. Many Brazilian export plants slaughter under Halal supervision and issue a Halal certificate with each shipment. State the requirement and the accepted certifying body in your contract.
What payment terms does MARYTHUR LTD use?
We use one payment option only: T/T with a 30–50% deposit after the booking confirmation and the balance within 15 business days of arrival, paid only to MARYTHUR LTD at HSBC UK.
