Brazil Faces Trade Restrictions Following Bird Flu Outbreak

An outbreak of bird flu in Brazil has led to trade restrictions from several countries, impacting the world’s largest chicken exporter. The first case was confirmed in May on a commercial farm located in the southern region of the country. In response, various nations have implemented bans to prevent the potential spread of the virus. Brazil had previously declared itself free of the virus in commercial flocks after 28 days without new cases, prompting dozens of importers to reverse their bans.

As of August 25, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture reported that the following countries are maintaining their bans on Brazilian poultry:

SUSPENSIONS TARGETING ALL POULTRY FROM BRAZIL: China, the European Union, Canada, Malaysia, East Timor, and Pakistan.

SUSPENSIONS TARGETING RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Ukraine.

SUSPENSIONS TARGETING SPECIFIC REGIONS: Japan, Mauritius, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, and Uzbekistan.

The Brazilian chicken export sector is expected to decline by as much as 2 percent this year, totaling 5.2 million metric tons, according to the meat lobby ABPA. The organization cited the impact of embargoes imposed by significant importers following the local bird flu outbreak.

This incident marks Brazil’s first recorded bird flu outbreak in a chicken breeding farm. Despite the challenges in the chicken sector, Brazilian total egg exports, including both fresh and processed products, surged almost 305 percent to 5,259 metric tons in July. This increase reflects strong demand from the United States, which faced its own bird flu outbreak that affected domestic egg supplies and led to rising prices.

In response to the increased demand for Brazilian eggs, the U.S. became the primary destination for Brazilian egg exports in the first seven months of 2025. During this period, Brazil shipped 18,976 tons of eggs to the U.S., representing an astounding 1,419 percent increase and generating nearly $41 million in sales, as reported by ABPA.

However, the trade dynamics shifted when U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian goods, including eggs, on August 6. This move may complicate Brazil’s ability to capitalize on the increased demand from the U.S. market.

The ongoing situation highlights the complexities of international trade in the food sector, particularly in light of health-related crises such as the bird flu outbreak. The restrictions from various countries could have long-term implications for Brazil’s poultry industry and overall agricultural exports.

Brazil continues to navigate these challenges while striving to maintain its status as a leading exporter in the global market.