Brazil's poultry trade with the EU resumes after a four-month halt

Brazil has successfully resumed its poultry exports to the European Union after overcoming a significant avian influenza outbreak. This development marks the end of a four-month suspension that had impacted Brazil's poultry trade with several countries.

Background on the Outbreak

The avian influenza outbreak began in May 2025 in the Rio Grande do Sul region, leading Brazil to suspend its status as free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). This suspension resulted in the cessation of poultry exports to the EU and other key markets such as China, Saudi Arabia, and Chile. However, Brazil's swift measures to control the outbreak have been effective, allowing it to declare itself bird flu-free by June 18, 2025, after meeting the required 28-day period without new cases.

Trade Resumption and Market Impact

Following successful negotiations, the EU has agreed to lift restrictions on Brazilian poultry imports gradually. This decision is expected to ease the supply shortages caused by the outbreak, which had led to increased poultry prices in Europe. Before the suspension, Brazil had seen a promising increase in poultry exports, with a 3% rise in 2024, shipping a total of 5.294 million tonnes.

Implications for European and Global Markets

The resumption of Brazilian poultry exports is likely to have a stabilising effect on European poultry prices, which had surged due to supply constraints exacerbated by the avian flu. The EU had imported 25,300 tonnes of Brazilian chicken before the halt, marking a 20.8% increase from the previous year. As Brazilian exports resume, the European market is expected to benefit from the additional supply, potentially leading to more competitive pricing.

Overall, Brazil's ability to manage the avian flu outbreak and resume exports is a significant development for both Brazilian producers and international markets. The return of Brazilian poultry to the EU market will help balance supply and demand, alleviating the pressure on prices and supporting the global poultry trade.

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