The Brazilian Agriculture Ministry updated its list of countries imposing restrictions on chicken trade with Brazil.
The world’s leading poultry exporter made this announcement, following the confirmation of the country’s first bird flu outbreak on a commercial farm.
The outbreak, detected in Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul, has triggered widespread trade suspensions, significantly impacting Brazil’s poultry industry.
Bird Flu Detected in Commercial Poultry Farm in Montenegro
A serious outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in a commercial poultry flock in Montenegro, a city in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.
This is the first confirmed case of bird flu on a commercial farm in Brazil.
The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture reported that the outbreak has already had a significant economic impact, with 45% of the country’s chicken meat export markets affected by trade bans as of April 2025.
The confirmation of the virus has prompted swift responses from international trading partners, who are now reassessing their import policies.
The government is expected to ramp up containment and monitoring measures to prevent further spread.
Countries Imposing Trade Restrictions
The trade bans vary in scope, with some countries suspending all poultry imports from Brazil, others targeting only Rio Grande do Sul, and a few focusing specifically on Montenegro.
Below is the updated list of restrictions as of May 2025:
- Complete Suspension of Poultry Imports from Brazil: China, European Union, Mexico, Iraq, South Korea, Chile, Philippines, South Africa, Peru, Albania,Canada, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Malaysia, Argentina, East Timor, Morocco, India, Sri Lanka, North Macedonia, Pakistan.
- Suspensions Targeting Rio Grande do Sul State: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Kingdom, Angola, Turkey, Bahrain, Cuba, Montenegro, Namibia, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tajikistan, Ukraine.
- Suspensions Targeting Montenegro City: United Arab Emirates, Japan, Qatar, Jordan.
Recent developments show some progress, with Russia lifting its nationwide ban and restricting imports only from Rio Grande do Sul, citing Brazil’s swift response to the outbreak.
Impact on Brazil’s Poultry Industry
Brazil, the world’s top chicken exporter, faces significant challenges as 32 countries have suspended poultry imports, affecting over $1 billion in trade, particularly with major markets like China.
The Brazilian Agriculture Minister, Carlos Favaro, has urged patience from exporters and requested that China limit its embargo to Montenegro, though no agreement has been confirmed.
The ministry noted that 28 days without new cases are required to resume exports, a milestone Brazil is working toward.
Efforts to Mitigate the Crisis
Brazil notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of its suspended HPAI-free status following the outbreak.
Recent tests in Anta Gorda, Rio Grande do Sul, returned negative for bird flu, easing some trade concerns.
The government is actively engaging with trading partners to limit restrictions and restore market access, with Namibia recently adopting a regional ban approach, a model suggested for Southern Africa.
As Brazil navigates this crisis, the poultry industry and global trade partners await further updates on containment efforts and potential export resumptions.
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