Mexico bans Brazilian chicken imports amid Newcastle disease outbreak

Mexican officials announced on October 19 that they are suspending imports of chicken meat, live poultry and hatching eggs from Brazil to safeguard the country's poultry sector. The decision follows a report from Brazilian authorities that a commercial farm in the south of Brazil confirmed an outbreak of Newcastle disease on October 18, prompting the farm's shutdown. The virus spreads easily among chickens, causing neurological issues, lower egg output and higher mortality, though it poses no risk to people.

The Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development said the measure aims to protect domestic production. This marks the second time in roughly a year and a half that Mexico has barred Brazilian poultry, after a 2025 suspension linked to an avian influenza outbreak that also affected China, the EU and other Latin American nations.