Bird flu in Brazil poultry farm triggers trade bans

Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm on Friday, triggering protocols for a country-wide trade ban from top buyer China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers.

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The outbreak in southern Brazil was identified at a farm supplying Vibra Foods, a Brazilian operation backed by Tyson Foods, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Vibra and Tyson did not immediately respond to questions.

Vibra has 15 processing plants in Brazil and exports to over 60 countries, according to its website.

Brazil exported some $10 billion of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for about 35% of global trade.

Much of that came from meat processors BRF and JBS, which ship to some 150 countries.

China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are among the main destinations for Brazil's chicken exports.

Brazilian Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said on Friday that under existing protocols, countries including China, the European Union and South Korea would ban poultry imports from Brazil for 60 days.

Argentina said it was suspending imports of all Brazilian poultry products until its neighbor is found free of bird flu.