Brazil Urges Philippines to Lift Poultry Import Ban Amid Clearing of Bird Flu Outbreak

Strategic Insights -

Brazil's poultry sector has been significantly affected by the temporary import ban imposed by the Philippines, with the South American country supplying a substantial 60% of the country's mechanically deboned meat requirement for products like hotdogs and meat loaves. The ban has come under review as Brazil has officially cleared its lone bird flu outbreak, prompting the Brazilian embassy in Manila to request the lifting of the restriction.

Key Takeaways:

  • The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has officially recognized Brazil as free from highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry after completing necessary technical and administrative assessment.
  • The WOAH recognition comes after Brazil implemented the required international protocols in regaining freedom status from bird flu.
  • Brazil is a critical poultry meat supplier to the Philippines, particularly for the meat processing industry, and supplies at least 60% of its mechanically deboned meat requirement.
  • The Philippines is in the top 10 markets of Brazil's chicken meat products, with Brazil accounting for half of the country's total chicken meat imports.
  • In 2022, the Philippines imported approximately 237,000 metric tons of chicken meat from Brazil, according to Bureau of Animal Industry data.
  • The WOAH has updated the case status to 'closed' in its official system and has made publicly available the technical report detailing the measures adopted by Brazil.
  • Brazil formally declared itself free from bird flu as of June 18, as stated in the published self-declaration report.

Statistics:

  • Brazil supplies at least 60% of the Philippines' mechanically deboned meat requirement for products like hotdogs and meat loaves.
  • The Philippines is in the top 10 markets of Brazil's chicken meat products.
  • Brazil accounts for half of the country's total chicken meat imports.
  • In 2022, the Philippines imported approximately 237,000 metric tons of chicken meat from Brazil.
  • Brazil officially cleared its lone bird flu outbreak as of June 18.

Sources:

  • Brazilian embassy in Manila
  • World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)
  • Brazilian Animal Protein Association
  • Bureau of Animal Industry
  • Philippine news outlet (no specific link provided)