Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay Suspend Poultry Imports Following Brazil’s Bird Flu Outbreak

Amid a bird flu outbreak, Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay suspend poultry imports from Brazil, following confirmed cases on a commercial farm. The outbreak has also affected trade relationships with China and the EU. Brazilian authorities have initiated a contingency plan to manage the situation and ensure food security amid rising international concerns.

In a significant move prompted by a bird flu outbreak, Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay have temporarily halted poultry imports from Brazil. This decision comes after Brazil confirmed its first case of the disease on a commercial farm. The confirmation was made public on Saturday, and health officials are now implementing measures to control the situation.

On Friday, Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture announced that this outbreak had already prompted a response from both China and the European Union, leading them to also suspend imports. The response underscores the urgency of addressing the outbreak and protecting public health.

Mexico’s National Service for Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality issued an official statement detailing the suspension of imports of chicken meat, fertile eggs, live birds, and other related products from Brazil. They assured that the decision, deemed precautionary, is vital for safeguarding national health standards.

Luis Rua, who is the secretary of international trade at Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, confirmed that both Chile and Uruguay followed suit with their own import suspensions. Brazil, being a significant player in the poultry market, represents about 14% of global chicken meat production, highlighting the widespread impact of this suspension.

Interestingly, the recent egg shortage in the United States, resulting from a separate bird flu incident, had led to an explosion of Brazilian egg exports to the U.S.—a remarkable increase of over 1,000% from January to April 2025 compared to the same period last year. Such a dramatic spike illustrates the importance of Brazilian poultry to international markets.

Brazilian authorities revealed that the outbreak was located in the Rio Grande do Sul region of southern Brazil. In response, they have activated a contingency plan designed to tackle the problem. This plan aims to eliminate the virus while preserving the production capabilities of the poultry sector, thus ensuring food security for the public.

The Ministry of Agriculture has also informed the World Organization for Animal Health and Brazil’s trade partners about the situation. They emphasized that the restrictions on poultry exports resulted from agreements with importing partners, based on international health certificate protocols. Such regulations differ according to the severity of outbreaks and geographical considerations.

Historically, Brazil has faced challenges related to poultry exports. In 2018, for instance, the European Union imposed a temporary ban on chicken imports from 20 Brazilian plants due to salmonella concerns. Brazil subsequently took the matter to the World Trade Organization, highlighting ongoing tensions amidst food safety regulations.

In summary, the bird flu outbreak in Brazil has led to immediate import halts from multiple countries, including Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay. This incident not only raises health concerns but also poses significant implications for Brazil’s status as a major poultry producer. Authorities are working swiftly to contain the outbreak while maintaining industry productivity and food security. The international response demonstrates how interconnected poultry markets can be affected by such health crises.

Original Source: apnews.com