Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay Stop Poultry Imports from Brazil Amid Bird Flu Outbreak

Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay have halted poultry imports from Brazil following the first bird flu outbreak confirmed in the country. This decision came after Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry stated that China and the EU also implemented restrictions. Brazil’s poultry industry is among the largest globally, and authorities have initiated a plan to contain the virus and ensure food security.

In response to Brazil’s first confirmed bird flu outbreak on a commercial farm, Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay have immediately stopped imports of poultry products from the country. The announcement came on Saturday, following a statement from Brazil’s Agriculture and Livestock Ministry that indicated restrictions had also been imposed by China and the European Union on Brazilian poultry imports due to the same outbreak.

The National Service for Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality of Mexico confirmed its decision to temporarily ban the import of chicken meat, fertile eggs, live birds, and other poultry products as a precaution. Likewise, Chile and Uruguay followed suit, as reported by Luis Rua, Brazil’s international trade secretary. This move underscores the seriousness of the situation, as Brazil is a key player in the global poultry market, contributing to 14% of the world’s chicken meat production, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This development comes at a time when Brazilian egg exports to the United States have surged dramatically due to an egg shortage caused by an outbreak of bird flu there. Figures show that between January and April 2025, Brazilian exports to the U.S. increased by over 1,000% compared to the same period in 2024.

Officials announced the discovery of the virus at a facility in Rio Grande do Sul, a southern state in Brazil. They indicated that an immediate contingency plan has been put in place. This plan aims to not only eradicate the virus but also to ensure the poultry sector maintains its production levels, thus safeguarding food security for the Brazilian population.

Additionally, the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry has alerted international health organizations, including the World Organization for Animal Health, and various governmental sectors within Brazil. It has also communicated with Brazil’s trade partners concerning the situation.

The ministry explained that the restrictions placed on poultry exports align with regulations established with each country importing Brazilian products. These are based on the requirements of international health certificates. Depending on the specifics of the disease detected, some bans may apply nationwide while others may target specific regions or areas where the outbreak occurred.

Brazil’s poultry exports have faced significant hurdles in the past concerning sanitary regulations. For instance, in 2018, the European Union imposed a temporary ban on chicken imports from 20 Brazilian plants over salmonella concerns, culminating in Brazil taking the matter to the World Trade Organization.

The recent bird flu outbreak in Brazil has prompted swift reactions from Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay, leading to the suspension of poultry imports from the region. Increased scrutiny and previous sanitary challenges highlight ongoing concerns about the safety of Brazilian poultry products in global markets. Brazil is taking proactive measures both to eliminate the virus and maintain its significant role in the global poultry supply chain, ensuring food security amid international trade pressures.

Original Source: apnews.com