Mexico suspends chicken imports from Brazil over Newcastle disease outbreak

On Monday, Mexico halted the import of chicken meat, live birds, and fertile eggs from Brazil, following a Newcastle disease outbreak in the country. The National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica) implemented the suspension to prevent the spread of the disease to Mexico, affecting both commercial imports and those brought in by tourists.

Brazilian authorities claim they are taking swift action to control the outbreak, which is expected to have minimal impact on Mexico's economy. Newcastle disease is a highly contagious respiratory infection in birds that can lead to neurological disorders, reduced egg production, and high mortality rates, but it does not pose a serious risk to humans.

The outbreak was first detected in a commercial turkey farm in southern Brazil on Sunday, and later confirmed in a commercial broiler chicken farm in the municipality of Nova Itaberaba, Santa Catarina state, on Monday. Brazilian officials assured the public that the affected facility had been closed and that measures were in place to control and eradicate the outbreak.

Brazil exports 30% of its chicken production, and Mexico was Brazil's seventh-largest poultry buyer in 2025. This is the second time in 17 months that Mexico has suspended poultry imports from Brazil, with the last suspension occurring in May and June 2025 due to an avian influenza outbreak. The last Newcastle disease outbreak in Brazil occurred in July 2024, resulting in a 25% decline in chicken exports, but trade rebounded quickly once markets reopened.

Analysts believe the current outbreak will not cause lasting damage to Brazil's poultry industry, provided authorities can contain it rapidly.