Multiple Countries Maintain Poultry Import Bans Amid Bird Flu Outbreaks

A resurgence of bird flu outbreaks in several countries has led to significant trade restrictions on poultry and related products globally. New Zealand's pet food exporters remain barred from China due to an H7N6 bird flu case detected last year, causing losses exceeding $100 million, with no clear timeline for re-entry despite containment efforts. Argentina recently reported a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, prompting Chile and China to suspend poultry imports from the country to protect their disease-free status. Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, faced trade bans from major importers including China, the EU, and Canada following a May outbreak, although some countries have reversed their restrictions after Brazil declared itself free of the virus in commercial flocks. These measures have disrupted global poultry supply chains and affected export volumes, with notable shifts such as increased U.S. egg imports from Brazil amid its own bird flu challenges. Overall, countries are enforcing strict biosecurity and import suspensions to control the spread of avian influenza, impacting international trade and industry revenues.