SAO PAULO: Saudi Arabia and Chile have officially lifted their bans on poultry imports from Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, easing trade restrictions that were imposed following a bird flu outbreak earlier this year.
According to a memo from Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry, Saudi Arabia removed its ban on Thursday, allowing poultry shipments from the region to resume. The restrictions had been in place since May, when Brazil reported its first-ever case of avian influenza on a commercial poultry farm in Rio Grande do Sul.
A separate document from Chilean authorities confirmed that the country will resume imports of Brazilian poultry products produced after August 9. Chile will also allow the import of fertile eggs, one-day-old chicks, fresh chicken, and processed poultry products. The decision follows a visit by Chilean inspectors to Brazil last week.
The Chilean memo additionally recognized Rio Grande do Sul as free of Newcastle disease — another highly contagious viral illness affecting birds — further clearing the way for poultry trade between the two nations.
Brazilian food giant BRF SA (BRFS3.SA) welcomed the news, with executives highlighting the positive impact the lifting of trade barriers could have on exports. The company recently reported strong second-quarter results, but acknowledged that the earlier trade bans had limited poultry sales during the period.
Brazil, the world’s largest poultry exporter, faced multiple regional and national restrictions following the May outbreak. While several countries have since lifted their bans, major importers such as China have yet to resume purchases. The easing of restrictions by Saudi Arabia and Chile is expected to boost Brazil’s poultry export volumes in the coming months, helping the sector recover from one of its most challenging years in recent history.
