Brazil Updates Poultry Export Restrictions Following Bird Flu Outbreak
The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture has issued an update to the list of poultry trade restrictions after confirming the first case of bird flu.
The update comes as Brazil, the world’s largest poultry exporter, confirmed its first bird flu case on a commercial farm. Under current protocols, Brazil has suspended the issuance of health certificates nationwide for shipments destined for China, the European Union, and South Africa.
Several countries—including Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, South Korea, Malaysia, and Canada—have suspended imports from all parts of Brazil following the outbreak. The ministry also noted that partial bans will apply to shipments to other countries including Singapore, Japan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, the Philippines, and Cuba.
Brazil stated that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iraq have not yet issued any formal announcements in response, while Bahrain has banned imports specifically from the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Brazil, the world's top chicken exporter, confirmed its first bird flu outbreak on a poultry farm, prompting full-country trade bans from key buyers like China, and state-level bans from others.
Two individuals familiar with the matter said the outbreak occurred in southern Brazil at a farm that supplies Vibra Foods, a Brazilian company supported by Tyson Foods. Neither Vibra nor Tyson has responded to inquiries. According to Vibra’s website, the company operates 15 processing plants in Brazil and exports to more than 60 countries.
In 2024, Brazil exported about $10 billion worth of chicken meat, accounting for roughly 35% of global trade. Major export destinations include China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Brazilian Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro stated that, under current protocols, countries including China, the EU, and South Korea will ban Brazilian poultry imports for 60 days.
Argentina announced it will suspend all Brazilian poultry product imports until it confirms that its neighbor is free from bird flu.
Fávaro added that recently revised protocols with key buyers like Japan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia allow restrictions only on shipments from the affected state, and eventually, only from the specific municipality.
The Ministry of Agriculture reported that the outbreak occurred in the city of Montenegro, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil.
Photo: A drone image shows facilities of Brazil’s Vibra Foods, supported by Tyson Foods, following the first confirmed bird flu outbreak in Brazil – Reuters.
Source: www.alghad.tv
