EU Clears Brazil of Bird Flu, Opening Poultry Trade Doors
Europe has officially recognized Brazil as bird-flu free, paving the way for more Brazilian chicken exports to the EU.
The European Union has given Brazil a clean bill of health on avian influenza, lifting a major roadblock for chicken exports. Earlier this year, an outbreak on a breeder farm in southern Brazil triggered bans from several trading partners. After months of monitoring and data-sharing with EU officials, Brussels now considers the disease under control.
This recognition matters because Brazil is one of the world’s largest poultry exporters, and Europe is an important buyer. Between January and June, the EU had already taken in over 125,000 tons of Brazilian chicken—worth nearly $400 million—even with restrictions in place. Now, European member states are set to gradually roll back the remaining barriers, giving Brazilian producers a clearer path back into the market.
While China continues to hold firm on its import restrictions, the EU’s decision signals confidence in Brazil’s disease control measures. For Europe, it means greater competition on supermarket shelves; for Brazil, it’s a win that could help stabilize its poultry sector after months of uncertainty.