Chile announces it is officially free from PRRS

The Ministry of Agriculture declared that it took the National Programme of Control and Eradication of PRRS in Chile 9 years, between 2014 and 2023, to achieve this status.

During 2023, the Ministry implemented a surveillance programme to demonstrate the absence of the disease throughout the national territory. Chilean authorities have verified samples from farms in different regions of the country to confirm the absence of the vírus.

The Ministry said it would also implemented measures to keep this PRRS free status in entire Chile. Among them, all pigs, pork products and genetic material must enter the country in line with OMSA Terrestrial Animal Health Code, border controls and import quarantine procedures.

According to the Chilean Pig Producers Association Asprocer, Chilean production and export of pork increased in 2023. The South American country produced 592,000 tonnes of pork meat last year, or 3,4% more in comparison to the previous year.

Chile exported 296,000 tonnes last year, which is an increase in volume of 12%. In revenue, the country earned US$ 740,000 million, an increase of 15% compared to 2022.

China, South Korea and Japan remain the main markets for Chilean pork. Pork continues to be the most exported meat in Chile with 66% of the volume exported, and 50% of what is produced is exported.