By Brazil Stock Guide – China has officially lifted its ban on poultry imports from Brazil, ending months of restrictions imposed after a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected last May in a commercial farm in Montenegro, in Rio Grande do Sul.
The decision was announced jointly by the General Administration of Customs (GACC) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) on October 31, citing updated risk assessments and restored sanitary confidence.
A major win for Brazil’s agribusiness
The reopening is a significant relief for Brazil’s poultry industry, which supplies roughly 35% of global chicken exports and counts China as its top buyer. In 2024, Brazil’s chicken exports totaled $10 billion, with Chinese demand accounting for nearly one-third of that value.
China’s sanitary protocols require a full national ban once a case of avian flu is confirmed in a commercial flock — even if geographically isolated — which meant the world’s biggest poultry exporter faced a complete halt in shipments earlier this year. The new announcement reverses that position, reflecting China’s conclusion that the outbreak has been contained and properly managed.
Sanitary validation and market ripple
The move follows the World Organisation for Animal Health’s recognition of Brazil as free from highly pathogenic avian influenza in late 2025, clearing the way for normalization with multiple trading partners. Brazilian officials said Beijing’s decision validates the country’s rapid containment response and strong veterinary monitoring system.
For Brazilian exporters like MBRF (Marfrig and BRF), JBS and Vibra, the return of the Chinese market could lift fourth-quarter volumes and ease oversupply pressures seen in mid-year, when exports fell nearly 23% year-on-year during the height of the ban.