Brazil suspended exports of chicken meat to China, the European Union and also Argentina, after the identification of a first outbreak of avian flu on a commercial farm, announced this Friday (16.05.2025) the government.
An influenza outbreak of high pathogenicity (IAAP) was detected in a poultry establishment in Montenegro, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (South), according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, which clarified that “the disease is not transmitted by the consumption of birds of birds or eggs.”
In addition to China and the EU, the Argentine health authorities announced the suspension of Brazilian chicken imports until the neighboring country is declared free of avian flu.
“As of today, for 60 days, China will not be buying Brazilian chicken meat,” the Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Fávaro, told the press.
In a subsequent statement, the Ministry explained that “to respect the agreements signed with China and the European Union, exports are restricted throughout the country.”
The agricultural authorities assured that the containment and eradication measures of the focus are already underway.
Brazil is the first world exporter of chicken and China meat is its main destination, with more than 562,000 tons sent in 2024, 10.89% of the total exported, according to data from the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA).
Automatic suspension protocol
Both countries maintain a strategic commercial society, although asymmetric in favor of Asian power.
China is the first commercial partner of Brazil and the main destination of its exports, while Brazil is China’s ninth partner and the largest source of its agricultural imports.
The EU, meanwhile, bought more than 231,000 tons of Brazilian chicken meat last year, which represented 4.49% of these exports for Brazil.
The minister explained that with China and the EU, the decision responds to an automatic import suspension protocol in this type of situation, while in other countries these restrictions are limited to products from the affected region.
“The Brazilian system is so reliable and efficient that several countries changed their protocols because they know that Brazil knows how to contain. That is why commercial restrictions remain alone in the region where the outbreak is.
Some countries did not change protocol, as is the case of China, “said Fávaro.
In Rio Grande Do Sul, measures were implemented to “isolate and eliminate the focus,” said Governor Eduardo Leite in his X account, and insisted that the population “can continue eating” chicken and eggs “with total security.”
MG (AFP, Correio Braziliense)
