Mexico, Chile and Uruguay Halt Poultry Imports From Brazil Due to Bird Flu Outbreak
Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay suspend poultry imports from Brazil following the confirmation of a bird flu outbreak. Brazil’s Agriculture ministry has implemented a contingency plan after the virus was found on a commercial farm. The suspensions also come as other nations, including China and the EU, halt imports, sparked by health safety measures.
In response to the confirmation of the first bird flu outbreak in its commercial poultry sector, Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay have suspended poultry imports from Brazil. The decision was made public this Saturday, reflecting growing concerns over avian health risks in the region. Brazil’s Agriculture and Livestock ministry announced that other nations, including China and the European Union, have also halted imports, highlighting the outbreak’s potential impact on trade.
On Friday, Brazil confirmed the outbreak at a facility in Montenegro, located in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. Authorities are taking serious precautions, with Mexico’s National Service for Agro-Alimentary Health stating it will temporarily block chicken meat, fertile eggs, and live poultry from Brazil. Chile and Uruguay are following suit, as reported by Luis Rua, from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture.
Brazil plays a crucial role in the global poultry market, accounting for roughly 14% of world chicken meat production—making this ban significant. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has acknowledged Brazil’s substantial contributions to poultry exports. Interestingly, a recent egg shortage in the U.S. led to a surge in demand for Brazilian supplies, with exports reportedly increasing over 1,000% from January to April 2025 compared to the previous year.
Moreover, Brazil is taking steps to manage the outbreak effectively. The agriculture ministry outlined a contingency plan aimed at eliminating the disease while ensuring the poultry sector can continue to operate. This effort is crucial for maintaining food security amid rising global concerns.
The ministry has also reached out to the World Organization for Animal Health, as well as the Ministries of Health and the Environment, keeping trade partners informed of the situation. Preventative restrictions align with international health protocols, making sure that each importation policy reflects tailored responses to the specific diseases present, sometimes limited to geographical areas of the outbreak.
In the past, Brazilian poultry exports have encountered challenges regarding sanitary standards, most notably in 2018 when the EU banned imports from 20 Brazilian plants due to salmonella concerns. Brazil responded by taking its case before the World Trade Organization, emphasizing the complexities of international food trade amid health risks.
With the suspension of poultry imports from Brazil by Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay due to a bird flu outbreak, the agricultural landscape is shifting. The affected regions must navigate their responses carefully to safeguard food security while adhering to international health standards. Trade dynamics may change significantly as countries react to this unfolding situation.
Original Source: apnews.com
