Experts Urge South Africa to Suspend Chicken Imports from Brazil Amid Bird Flu Fears

South Africa is facing increasing pressure to temporarily ban poultry imports from Brazil following the outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) at a commercial farm in the southern region of the South American country.

Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of chicken, reported its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) last week. The farm affected is a supplier to Vibra Foods, a major poultry producer backed by US-based Tyson Foods.

In response, several countries, including China, Japan, and the European Union, have already imposed trade bans on Brazilian poultry to protect their local poultry industries and prevent the spread of the disease.

Now, leading agricultural experts in South Africa are calling for similar action.

“Given that we have struggled to address avian influenza in our domestic industry for some time, the appropriate step right now is to temporarily suspend imports of poultry products from Brazil until they are cleared,” said Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz).

Sihlobo pointed out that about 70% of South Africa’s poultry imports come from Brazil, with the rest sourced from countries like the US, Argentina, and EU members. With 20% of South Africa’s total poultry supply relying on imports, a health scare in a major source country could have far-reaching implications.

He stressed the importance of following global best practices and responding swiftly to animal disease risks in trade partners:

“When animal disease risks exist in countries we import from, we must act swiftly, following global practice, and limit the imports of the affected products.”

While acknowledging that the final decision rests with regulatory authorities, Sihlobo urged the government to consider a proactive stance in the interest of local food security and biosecurity.

“The regulator and policymakers must decide on this issue independently. I am merely making these remarks, judging from what we observe in China and Europe and our experiences with animal diseases.”

What Happens If South Africa Imposes a Ban?

If South Africa moves forward with a temporary ban, it may create short-term supply constraints and potentially drive up local poultry prices. However, it would also help safeguard the domestic industry, which has been grappling with its own outbreaks of avian influenza in recent years.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has not yet issued an official statement regarding the outbreak in Brazil or possible import restrictions.

Why It Matters

• Brazil is the dominant poultry exporter to South Africa, accounting for the majority of imports.

• Avian influenza spreads quickly and can devastate both commercial poultry operations and local supply chains.

• South Africa’s poultry industry is still recovering from previous outbreaks and needs protection against external risks.

For now, industry stakeholders and food safety advocates will be closely watching government responses and possible trade measures in the coming days.

{Source: IOL}

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