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

Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay have stopped poultry imports from Brazil due to a confirmed bird flu outbreak on a commercial farm. This follows similar import halts from China and the EU. Brazil, a major poultry exporter, is implementing a contingency plan to handle the situation while maintaining food security for its citizens.

On Saturday, authorities in Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay announced an immediate suspension of poultry imports from Brazil after the latter confirmed its first case of bird flu on a commercial farm. The outbreak was detected in Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul, leading to swift action from these countries amid rising health concerns.

Earlier on Friday, Brazil’s Agriculture and Livestock Ministry reported that major importers such as China and the European Union had also paused their poultry orders from Brazil. The urgency of the situation was underscored by Mexico’s National Service for Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality, which officially announced the temporary import halt affecting chicken meat, fertile eggs, live birds, and more.

Luis Rua, the secretary of international trade at Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, confirmed that both Chile and Uruguay followed suit, which is a significant move considering Brazil’s major role in the global poultry market. Brazil is known for producing about 14% of the world’s chicken meat, making these trade restrictions noteworthy.

In a related note, it is important to highlight the increase in Brazilian egg exports to the United States, which skyrocketed by over 1,000% between January and April 2025, following an egg shortage in the U.S. due to its own bird flu outbreak. This previous dependency on Brazilian poultry underscores the potential economic impact of these new trade barriers.

The Agriculture Ministry has implemented a contingency plan in an attempt to combat the virus, emphasize productive capacity in the sector, and ensure food security for the Brazilian populace. Officials have notified relevant organizations, including the World Organization for Animal Health, as part of their response strategy.

It should also be noted that Brazil’s chicken exports have faced scrutiny in the past, with the European Union temporarily banning imports from 20 Brazilian plants in 2018 due to salmonella concerns, a case that Brazil subsequently brought to the World Trade Organization.

As the situation progresses, further restrictions on poultry exports will vary based on agreements made with importing nations, tailored according to international health certificate regulations and the specific contagion at hand.

In summary, the confirmed bird flu case in Brazil has prompted Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay to cease poultry imports from the country. This decision follows similar actions from China and the European Union, reflecting high levels of concern over disease transmission. As Brazil grapples with the outbreak, the focus remains on controlling the virus and safeguarding its poultry production—a critical sector for both local food security and global trade.

Original Source: apnews.com