Saudi Arabia restricts imports of poultry and eggs from 40 countries

Saudi Arabia has imposed a complete ban on the import of raw poultry and table eggs from 40 countries due to the risks of the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The corresponding decision was announced by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), emphasizing that the restrictions are preventive in nature and are aimed at protecting public health and ensuring the kingdom’s food security.

According to the regulator’s document, the ban applies specifically to raw products – poultry and table eggs. The list includes 40 countries, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Germany, India, China, Iran, Mexico, Kazakhstan and a number of other countries in Asia, Europe and America. At the same time, Ukraine is not mentioned in the list of countries for which the ban has been imposed.

In addition to the complete ban for individual countries, the SFDA also established partial restrictions for individual regions in 16 countries, including the USA, Australia, France and Canada. In these cases, imports may be limited to specific areas depending on the epizootic situation.

However, the Saudi side clarified that heat-treated and fully processed poultry products may be allowed for import, provided that they meet sanitary requirements. Such products must be accompanied by certified veterinary documents and come from enterprises approved by the kingdom’s regulatory authorities.

Experts note that the decision may affect global trade flows in the poultry sector, as the Saudi Arabian market is one of the important import destinations in the Middle East region.

Tags: Saudi Arabia, restrictions, eggs