Avian influenza has been confirmed in Brazil, the world’s largest chicken exporter, leading to bans on its products in major markets around the world.
HPAI was confirmed on 15 May on a commercial breeding farm in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
The UK has suspended imports of poultry from that state.
China, which is Brazil’s biggest poultry importer, has imposed a ban on all Brazilian poultry imports, and the EU has also suspended imports, while the USA has imposed partial restrictions.
The bans have big implications for the Brazilian industry and trade globally as it is such a big producer and exporter of poultry. In 2024, Brazil produced around 15 million tonnes of chicken meat and exported around the third of this. The poultry industry is a significant contributor to the country’s economy.