Hong Kong suspends poultry imports from Netherlands, Argentina, and Japan over bird flu
Authorities cite outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in multiple regions
HONG KONG – Hong Kong has stopped importing poultry meat and eggs from Utrecht Province in the Netherlands following a confirmed outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) said last week.
The ban, effective immediately, covers all poultry products, including meat and eggs, originating from the affected Dutch region.
According to Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department, the city imported roughly 370 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from the Netherlands in 2025.
CFS officials confirmed they have been in contact with Dutch authorities and are monitoring updates from the World Organisation for Animal Health and other relevant agencies.
A few days earlier, the agency also announced a halt to poultry imports from selected regions of Argentina and Japan following outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza.
The suspension applies to poultry meat and eggs from Lobos Partido in Buenos Aires Province and Marcos Juarez Department in Córdoba Province in Argentina, as well as Hokkaido Prefecture in Japan, and it took effect immediately.
Hong Kong imported around 2,080 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Argentina in 2025, while imports from Japan included approximately 2,390 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and nearly 297.92 million eggs.
CFS said it has contacted officials in Argentina and Japan and will continue monitoring reports from the World Organisation for Animal Health and national authorities, indicating that additional measures may follow.
The agency emphasized that all restrictions will remain in place until the outbreaks are contained and risks to public health are assessed.
Officials noted that the city’s poultry market relies heavily on imports, and authorities are reviewing alternative supply sources to maintain availability while preventing potential exposure to the virus.
Hong Kong has previously implemented temporary import bans whenever H5 outbreaks have been reported abroad, reflecting a strict approach to controlling avian influenza and protecting local poultry stocks.
CFS spokespersons indicated that further updates will be issued as new information becomes available, and authorities continue to coordinate with international partners to track the progression of the outbreaks.
The recent measures mark the third instance this year that Hong Kong has imposed import restrictions on poultry products due to H5 virus detections in exporting regions, demonstrating ongoing vigilance in food safety oversight.
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