DA lifts ban on poultry imports from Brazil, US states

The Department of Agriculture lifted the ban on poultry products from Brazil and six U.S. states on Thursday, citing no avian influenza outbreaks in these regions since June 18 according to data from the World Organization for Animal Health.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laure Jr. issued Memorandum Order No. 35, which lifts the importation ban on poultry and birds from Brazil, effective immediately.

Brazil is one of the world's largest poultry exporters, accounting for a third of global chicken trade, and its products will now enter the market to help ease supply pressures and potentially lower retail prices of chicken.

The Department is considering implementing a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for chicken by September to prevent excessive price increases.

Consumers may start seeing lower prices this month as imported goods from Brazil enter the market immediately, with whole chickens currently priced between PHP220 and PHP250 per kg in Metro Manila.