Embargo over: Brazilian poultry back on China’s menu

China announced in November the suspension of its embargo on Brazilian poultry imports, a measure that had been imposed following an avian influenza outbreak in May. China is the primary destination for chicken meat exports from Brazil, the world’s largest exporter.

The ban was introduced following confirmation on 15 May of a highly pathogenic avian influenza case at a commercial poultry farm in Montenegro in Rio Grande do Sul. Even after Brazil declared itself free of the disease in early June, Chinese restrictions remained in place.

According to the official statement released by China’s General Administration of Customs (CGAC), the lifting of the prohibition takes immediate effect and was decided “on the basis of the risk analysis” conducted by Chinese sanitary authorities. In September, a Chinese technical mission visited Brazil to audit the federal inspection system and verify the sanitary measures adopted.

In 2024, China imported 353,400 tonnes of Brazilian chicken, generating revenue of US$786.9 million. From January to May, before confirmation of the avian influenza outbreak, exports to China had already reached 228,000 tonnes, with revenues of US$547 million.

Despite the embargo, Brazilian chicken meat exports for the year from January to October reached 4.378 million tonnes, just 0.1% below the total recorded in the same period last year (4.380 million tonnes).

“Brazil has become a safe food supplier in terms of quality, delivery reliability, competitive pricing and, of course, sanitary conditions. The proof of this is the full reopening of markets after the avian influenza case,” said the Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Fávaro.

The Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) stated that the reopening of the Chinese market for Brazilian chicken meat is the result of a “broad and highly professional negotiation effort”, highlighting the work of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the vice-presidency, Itamaraty and the private sector.

ABPA president Ricardo Santin said in a statement: “There was extensive and highly professional negotiation throughout this process, which included the renegotiation of sanitary certificates to avoid full suspensions of countries in the event of new occurrences. Alongside this, a broad and intense diplomatic effort was undertaken by the Brazilian government, together with private entities led by ABPA, to restore exports to suspended markets. The reopening of China crowns the success of this major coordinated action, under the leadership of minister Fávaro and his team.”

The association also highlighted that the process included avian influenza control and eradication measures, the recovery of Brazil’s sanitary status with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and diplomatic efforts led by the Ministry of Agriculture.

With Chinese purchases now resumed, all major importers of Brazilian chicken meat are once again receiving the product. Recently, the European Union also announced the reopening of its market.

Tags: China, exports, Brazil, Poultry, Embargo, imports, outbreak, chicken meat, Avian influenza