Saudi Arabia Bans Poultry, Egg Imports from Nigeria, 39 Other Countries

Saudi Arabia Bans Poultry, Egg Imports from Nigeria, 39 Other Countries

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has imposed a full ban on poultry meat and table egg imports from 40 countries, including Nigeria and South Africa, while introducing partial restrictions on specific regions in 16 other countries. The measure aims to protect public health, prevent the spread of animal-borne diseases, and ensure food safety in the Kingdom’s domestic market.

The SFDA stated that the list of affected countries is regularly reviewed based on global health developments and epidemiological updates. Some bans have been in place since 2004, while others were introduced gradually following risk assessments and international disease reports, particularly concerning highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The full ban covers poultry and table egg imports from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Djibouti, South Africa, China, Iraq, Ghana, Palestine, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, South Korea, North Korea, Laos, Libya, Myanmar, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Serbia, Slovenia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Montenegro.

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Partial restrictions apply to specific states or cities in Australia, the United States, Italy, Belgium, Bhutan, Poland, Togo, Denmark, Romania, Zimbabwe, France, the Philippines, Canada, Malaysia, Austria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, reflecting targeted measures based on regional disease risk.

The SFDA clarified that heat-treated or properly processed poultry and egg products are exempt from the ban if they comply with approved health and safety standards and carry official certification. The Kingdom requires that imported products undergo treatments that eliminate potential viruses such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease before entering Saudi markets.

Officials emphasized that the precautionary steps are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to monitor and respond to global disease outbreaks and safeguard consumers. By controlling poultry imports, the Kingdom aims to strengthen its domestic food safety system and mitigate the risk of animal-to-human disease transmission.

The updated measures highlight the Kingdom’s rigorous approach to food safety, sending a clear signal to exporters that compliance with international health standards is essential for continued access to Saudi markets.

Saudi Arabia Bans Poultry, Egg Imports from Nigeria, 39 Other Countries