As highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) occurs at poultry farms in Brazil, the number of countries halting imports of Brazilian chicken and related products continues to increase.

An aerial photo of the Sapucaia do Sul Zoo in Sapucaia do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on Dec. 16 (local time). The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA) confirms two cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) detected in a poultry farm in Montenegro and in wild birds at the Sapucaia do Sul Zoo. /Courtesy of AFP=Yonhap News

On the 17th (local time), authorities in Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay officially announced that they would temporarily block imports of Brazilian chicken, table eggs, and live birds to prevent the spread of avian influenza. This action follows the biosecurity manuals of each country.

The Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stated in a press release, "We have been informed by Brazilian authorities of the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, and this import ban will remain in place until additional information is provided."

Earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of South Korea also imposed a complete ban on imports of Brazilian breeding eggs, table eggs, day-old chicks, poultry meat, and poultry products. The Brazilian government has indicated that it will temporarily suspend chicken exports for 60 days based on the terms of trade with South Korea.

Additionally, exports to China and the European Union (EU) have also been halted, while Japan has implemented restrictions only on products produced in regions affected by HPAI. Local media G1 reported that this is an action according to an agreement with Japan.

On the 16th, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that HPAI was confirmed at a commercial poultry breeding facility in the Monte Negro region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in a rearing poultry farm since it was first reported in wild birds in Brazil in May 2023.

Brazil is the world's largest chicken exporter, and according to local producer associations (ABPA), it has traded chicken with 151 countries as of 2023. The largest export volume was to China at 560,000 tons, followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 450,000 tons and Japan at 440,000 tons.

Meanwhile, the United States, which is currently experiencing a shortage of egg supplies, has not yet announced any specific import restrictions. The Associated Press reported, citing Brazilian government data, that Brazilian egg exports to the U.S. surged more than 1,000% year-on-year during the period from January to April.