The prohibition, effective ​immediately, covers all poultry and related ​products originating from Chile, the government ⁠said, citing the need to protect ​its livestock industry and biosecurity. Any ​illegal Chilean poultry products found at the border will be destroyed by customs, the agency ​said.

China has previously suspended exports from ​Chile due to bird flu. The country resumed ‌trade ⁠with the South American country in late 2024 after an 18-month suspension due to avian influenza. Before the pause, ​China was ​Chile’s third-largest ⁠poultry market, with 2022 exports reaching around 29,000 tons, constituting ​15% of Chile’s poultry exports.

China ​has ⁠recently tightened border controls after it reported an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 219 ⁠cattle ​in its northwestern region ​in late March.