Brazil faces poultry export restrictions in key markets

Brazil is facing new poultry export restrictions following its first outbreak of Newcastle disease in more than two years. The disease was confirmed on October 18, 2026, at a commercial turkey farm in Nova Itaberaba, in the southern state of Santa Catarina. In response, several major trading partners, including Mexico, Saudi Arabia and China, imposed restrictions on Brazilian poultry imports, creating additional risks for one of the world’s leading chicken exporters.

Mexico introduced the strictest measures, suspending all poultry imports from Brazil on October 19. In 2025, the country purchased approximately 244 thsd tons of Brazilian chicken meat worth $777 mln, making it Brazil’s seventh-largest export market. Brazil accounted for 22.8% of Mexico’s total chicken imports, ranking as its second-largest supplier after the United States. However, Mexican authorities stated that domestic poultry supplies were sufficient to meet demand even after Brazilian shipments were suspended.

Saudi Arabia, Brazil’s third-largest chicken export market, restricted imports only from Santa Catarina, where the outbreak was detected. In 2025, the kingdom imported around 397.2 thsd tons of Brazilian chicken meat, accounting for nearly 8% of Brazil’s total chicken exports. Malaysia, Chile and China also introduced restrictions, although their scope varies by country.

The situation with China, one of Brazil’s key export destinations, is causing particular concern among Brazilian poultry exporters. In January–September 2026, Brazil shipped approximately 420 thsd tons of chicken meat to China. Following the previous Newcastle disease outbreak in 2024, Beijing restricted poultry imports from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Although Brazil regained its Newcastle disease-free status in October 2024, Chinese restrictions remained in place until January 2026, highlighting the possibility of a prolonged recovery in trade flows.

The latest outbreak poses additional risks to Brazil’s poultry industry, as Santa Catarina is the country’s second-largest chicken-producing state after Paraná. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), Santa Catarina accounted for 13.7% of Brazil’s total chicken slaughter in 2025. The further impact of export restrictions will depend on the duration of quarantine measures, decisions by importing countries and the speed at which the affected region regains its disease-free status.

Tags: Brazil, chicken