No ban on Brazilian chicken despite Newcastle disease. Here's why
South Africa will keep importing chicken from Brazil, which supplies at least 70% of its poultry imports, and will only block shipments from farms hit by Newcastle disease.
South Africa will keep importing chicken from Brazil, its biggest supplier, even though Brazil has confirmed Newcastle disease on poultry farms in Santa Catarina state. The Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday, 28 October, that it would not impose a countrywide ban and would only block shipments from affected premises (Business Day/Reuters).
Why does this matter for South African shoppers?
Brazil supplies a large share of the chicken South Africa doesn't produce itself. South Africa imports about a fifth of the poultry it eats each year, and Brazil provides at least 70% of those imports (Business Day/Reuters).
A full ban would have cut off most imported chicken at once. The department said its approach lets trade continue "while safeguarding animal health in South Africa" (The Citizen).
What exactly did South Africa decide?
Brazil notified South Africa of the first outbreak in Santa Catarina on 20 October 2026 (The Citizen). Brazil announced a third outbreak, at a farm in Nova Erechim, on 27 October (Business Day/Reuters).
Instead of a blanket ban, South Africa is relying on the veterinary health certificates the two countries already agreed. These allow fresh poultry meat, hatching eggs and day-old chicks to keep coming in during an outbreak, as long as each consignment meets the conditions (The Citizen).
| Product | Condition for import |
|---|---|
| Fresh poultry meat | No Newcastle disease on the premises, or within a 10km radius, in the past six months. Abattoir and cutting plant must be outside an infected zone. |
| Hatching eggs and day-old chicks | Farms and facilities free of the disease for the past 12 months and outside an infected zone. |
Source: Department of Agriculture, as reported by The Citizen.
The department said it has asked Brazil's veterinary authorities to make sure every consignment headed for South Africa complies with these requirements (The Citizen).
How are other countries responding?
Responses differ. According to Brazil's agriculture ministry, Mexico has suspended poultry imports from all of Brazil, while China and Chile have limited their restrictions to products from Santa Catarina (Brazil Ministry of Agriculture). Forbes Brasil reports that Malaysia has also banned imports from the whole country, and Saudi Arabia has restricted Santa Catarina only (Forbes Brasil).
Is Newcastle disease a risk to people?
Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral disease of birds, including domestic poultry, caused by virulent strains of avian paramyxovirus type 1 (WOAH). The World Organisation for Animal Health describes it as a minor zoonosis in humans: it can cause conjunctivitis (an eye infection), but this is generally very mild and clears on its own (WOAH).
The main threat is to flocks. WOAH says that once the virus gets into a susceptible flock, virtually all the birds can be infected within two to six days (WOAH). That is why import rules focus on keeping the virus away from South African farms.
Is this the same as bird flu?
No. Newcastle disease and avian influenza (bird flu) are different viruses, although they can look alike in sick birds, so laboratory tests are needed to tell them apart (WOAH). Brazil's Newcastle outbreak follows its earlier bird flu outbreak (The Citizen).
FAQ
Has South Africa banned chicken imports from Brazil?
No. On 28 October 2026 the Department of Agriculture said it would not impose a countrywide ban. Only shipments from premises affected by Newcastle disease are restricted.
Where in Brazil is the Newcastle disease outbreak?
In Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil. Brazil reported a third outbreak, at a farm in Nova Erechim, on 27 October 2026.
How much of South Africa's imported chicken comes from Brazil?
South Africa imports about a fifth of the poultry it eats each year, and Brazil supplies at least 70% of those imports, according to Reuters.
Can people catch Newcastle disease?
The World Organisation for Animal Health says it is a minor zoonosis that can cause mild conjunctivitis in humans, which usually clears on its own. The main risk is to poultry flocks.
Sources
- Business Day (Reuters): South Africa says no blanket ban on Brazil poultry
- The Citizen: SA keeps poultry imports from Brazil open
- Brazil Ministry of Agriculture: Newcastle disease export restrictions update
- Forbes Brasil: South Africa restricts Brazilian chicken to farms with outbreaks
- World Organisation for Animal Health: Newcastle disease