PoultryWorld: EU clears Brazilian poultry post avian influenza outbreak

The European Union has once again authorised imports of chicken meat from Brazil, lifting a 4-month suspension that began after the country’s first case of avian influenza was detected in May 2025. Now, Brazil is setting its sights on securing the same authorisation from China.

This decision was formalised in the Official Journal of the European Union and announced by Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (Mapa).

From January to May, before the suspension, Brazil shipped 125,300 tonnes of chicken to the EU, according to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). This volume was 20.8% higher than in the same period of 2024, generating revenue of US$386.3 million, a 38% increase year-on-year.

“There was already a commitment from the European Union with minister Carlos Fávaro, but now the recognition is official. Companies are already authorised to produce for Europe,” said Ricardo Santin, president of ABPA.

Credibility

Brazil declared itself free of avian influenza on 18 June after completing the sanitary fallow period – the mandatory time in which facilities remain unoccupied for cleaning and disinfection. European recognition followed less than a month later, on 4 September.

“Brazil regained sanitary status in just 28 days, strengthening its international credibility and its position as the world’s largest exporter of chicken meat,” Mapa highlighted in a note.

Phased resumption of exports

Mapa reported that exports will resume gradually. The entire country of Brazil, except for Rio Grande do Sul, has been cleared to export products manufactured from 18 September onwards.

The state, where the initial outbreak occurred in Montenegro, may resume shipments on 2 October, except for farms located near the epicentre of the outbreak. In these establishments, within a 10-kilometre radius, exports are set to restart on 16 October.

Chinese audit

In addition to the EU, another 16 countries have already lifted restrictions on Brazilian chicken, including Japan – the 3rd largest buyer – and Iraq, in 9th place. China, however, still maintains barriers, despite being the largest destination for Brazilian poultry. In 2024, the Asian country purchased 353,400 tonnes of chicken from Brazil, generating revenue of US$786.9 million.

A Chinese mission is currently in Brazil to assess sanitary controls, a step deemed decisive for Beijing to also reopen its market. Chinese inspectors have begun visits to laboratories, farms, and slaughterhouses in different regions of Brazil. The audit will examine the protocols adopted after the avian influenza occurrence and should result in an official report.

The industry hopes that, with a favourable assessment, China will lift restrictions and normalise purchases, particularly of chicken feet, a product in high demand in the country.

Outlook for the sector

With the reopening of the European market, ABPA expects shipments to return to previous levels and potentially expand, given the pent-up demand.

In 2024, Brazil exported a record 5.294 million tonnes of chicken meat. Revenue also reached an all-time high of US$9.928 billion, up 1.3% compared with 2023.