Seoul: South Korea has suspended imports of poultry and related products from Brazil after a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak was confirmed at a commercial farm in Brazil, the agriculture ministry announced. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated that the suspension comes in response to Brazil’s official report to the World Organisation for Animal Health, confirming an HPAI outbreak at a breeder farm in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the suspension affects Brazilian poultry products, including hatching eggs and day-old chicks, effective for shipments departing on or after May 15. Shipments that departed within 14 days before the ban will undergo HPAI testing upon arrival in South Korea.

This marks the first instance of HPAI being detected at a commercial poultry farm in Brazil, though it was initially reported in wild birds in May 2023. Brazil, recognized as the world’s largest chicken exporter, currently has 37 shipments, totaling 844 tons of chicken meat, awaiting quarantine clearance at South Korean ports. Due to the timing of shipment and the virus’ incubation period, the ministry assured that there is no immediate concern over contamination, and the products will be processed through regular quarantine procedures.