Newcastle case in Brazil prompts China and Mexico to restrict poultry imports

Brazil confirmed a Newcastle disease case at a turkey farm in Nova Itaberaba, Santa Catarina, detected during sanitary surveillance from September 21 to October 14. The farm was quarantined with bird movement suspended. Birds did not develop the disease and were culled, not processed for consumption. A restricted zone covers 133 farms in Coronel Freitas, Nova Erechim and Águas Frias. Brazil's Agriculture and Foreign Affairs ministries contacted buyer markets after the detection. Mexican agricultural officials on Monday suspended imports of chicken meat, live birds and hatching eggs from Brazil nationwide. The Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development said the measure was taken with the purpose of protecting domestic poultry production. China and Chile restricted imports only from Santa Catarina. On Tuesday Brazil's government said China's restrictions would be limited to Santa Catarina following negotiations. The Agriculture Ministry said its efforts helped prevent a suspension of imports from the entire national territory. Santa Catarina accounts for around 15% of Brazil's poultry production. Brazil exports 30% of its poultry products. This is the second time in a year and a half Mexico has suspended Brazilian poultry imports, after a May-June 2025 avian flu halt. Brazil last reported Newcastle disease in July 2024 in Rio Grande do Sul; China held a statewide embargo until January 2026 after that outbreak.