Japan says "yes" to Argentine chicken while giant Brazil wavers

Argentina has successfully reopened the Japanese market for poultry and egg products after temporarily closing it due to a backyard bird avian influenza case registered on February 20. Starting May 29, the country will resume shipments to Japan, maintaining its health status as "avian influenza-free", thanks to the efforts made and coordinated work with the National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (Senasa). From Chacra, we spoke with Carlos Sinesi, Manager of the Poultry Processing Companies Center (CEPA) about the issue. While the reopening represents a health and diplomatic achievement, the commercial impact is limited. Japan is not currently a volume buyer for Argentina and concentrates its poultry imports mainly in Brazil, Thailand, and China. Even so, reopening this market reinforces Argentina's health credibility before other strategic destinations. Without a doubt, the High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza outbreak that occurred on May 15 in Rio Grande do Sul adds a ...