Due to multiple outbreaks of highly dangerous avian influenza in certain states, the Philippines’ farm ministry announced on Wednesday that it has prohibited the importation of chicken from California and Ohio.
The ministry stated in a statement that the embargo, which includes imports of domesticated and wild birds, including chicken meat and eggs, is intended to safeguard the health of the Philippines’ poultry population.
It further stated that if the shipments from California and Ohio were killed two weeks prior to the outbreak, they would be eligible for entrance if they were already in route, loaded, or received at Philippine ports before January 15.
According to official data, the Philippines imported $175.8 million worth of chicken products from the United States in 2023, making it the country’s second-largest supplier and the reason for 40% of arrivals in Southeast Asia.
Due to a bird flu outbreak, the Philippines banned the import of poultry products from Belgium and France earlier this month.
Bird flu can spread between farms after being carried by migratory wild birds. In recent years, it has decimated flocks all across the world, causing supply disruptions and a spike in food prices.
