Chile resumes poultry exports to China

On October 16, Chile shipped the first container of chicken to the People’s Republic of China, thereby restarting its poultry exports to the Asian giant. Soon after, on October 21, the first shipment of turkey consolidated the return of Chilean poultry to one of its most important markets.

After an almost 18-month suspension, due to an outbreak of Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Chile, the country’s poultry export sector resumed trade with China.

Prior to the moratorium, the Asian giant was the third largest export destination for Chilean poultry, with figures that reached US $107 million in 2022 and a volume of 29 ,000 tons in shipments. The reopening was described as a major achievement by the National Director of the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG), José Guajardo Reyes, who said that this step “reaffirms Chile’s leadership in the export sector” and allows the country to reassert its position as one of the main white meat suppliers to the Chinese market.

“The reactivation of exports to China not only revitalizes one of our key markets, but also allows us to capitalize on the growing global demand for protein in times of historic growth in poultry consumption. This achievement, in the midst of a projected increase in world consumption, is the result of a joint effort between SAG and the poultry production sector to guarantee that products meet the most rigorous biosecurity standards. This reopening positions us as a reliable partner in a market that continues to be crucial to the global poultry trade,” said ChileCarne President Juan Carlos Domínguez.

The reopening of the Chinese market represents a strategic opportunity for the Chilean poultry industry, which exported 34,354 tons to the country between January 2022 and March 2023, backed by more than 1,500 animal health certificates issued by SAG. According to Rabobank’s projections, the reactivation of shipments allows Chile to take advantage of a potential increase in Chinese imports for the last quarter of the year.

In the face of the persistent threat of Avian influenza, which is heightened during winter in the northern hemisphere, Chilean authorities have stressed their commitment to the quality and safety of exported products. This approach consolidates Chile’s position as a reliable supplier in international markets that demand rigorous food safety protocols.