Philippine officials assure stable chicken supply amid Brazilian poultry import ban

PHILIPPINES – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has confirmed that the Philippines will temporarily ban poultry imports from Brazil following a confirmed bird flu outbreak in a commercial farm in the South American country.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the suspension will not significantly disrupt local poultry supply since domestic production continues to rise and importers have access to other suppliers.

According to Tiu Laurel, while a brief gap in imports may occur during the transition to new sources, he does not anticipate serious shortages or price spikes.

He added that Brazil’s poultry exports are among the cheapest in the global market, but their absence would not paralyze the industry.

The country typically turns to Brazil for at least 60% of its requirement for mechanically deboned meat (MDM), a processed poultry ingredient essential for manufacturing hotdogs, meat loaves, and other food products.

Despite this reliance, meat processors say they do not foresee disruptions, as many companies keep a buffer stock of raw materials sufficient for a month or more.

Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. director Jet Ambalada said MDM from countries such as Poland, the United States, and Canada are viable alternatives with competitive pricing.

Ambalada emphasized that even if prices for MDM shift slightly, this change is unlikely to cause a noticeable increase in the prices of processed food items on the retail market.

The DA’s decision comes after nearly 7,400 breeder birds died in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul due to the virus, prompting several countries—including China, Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay—to enforce similar bans.

In line with its standard procedure, the Philippines imposes temporary import restrictions on poultry from countries with confirmed bird flu outbreaks to prevent the spread of the disease within its borders.

The government is now working on implementing its updated regionalisation policy, which seeks to limit the ban to specific affected areas rather than an entire country.

Tiu Laurel said the DA will expedite the process to ensure that poultry shipments from unaffected Brazilian regions can resume under safe trade conditions.

The department believes that narrowing the scope of bans will help maintain trade stability and secure food supplies while safeguarding animal health.

Prices of imported MDM from Brazil typically range between US$1,500 and US$1,800 per metric ton, which has made it a preferred source for local processors in recent years.

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