Argentina regains EU access for fresh poultry meat
Argentina can again export fresh poultry and game-bird meat to the EU from 17 August 2026, five months after a bird-flu outbreak triggered a suspension. Argentina's agriculture secretariat announced the reopening the same day the EU regulation restoring the listing appeared in the Official Journal.
Key facts
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1813 restores Argentina's authorisation to export fresh poultry and game-bird meat to the EU, effective 17 August 2026.
- The suspension had been in place since March 2026, following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the Buenos Aires region.
- Only consignments certified on or after 17 August qualify — anything certified during the suspension window stays ineligible regardless of shipping date.
What changed, and why it was suspended
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1813 restores Argentina's authorisation to export fresh meat of poultry and game birds to the EU, with restrictions lifted from 17 August 2026. The EU had suspended the listing in March 2026 following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Buenos Aires region. Argentina's national animal-health service regained the country's HPAI-free status in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) recommendations, which cleared the path back to the EU market. Alongside the fresh-meat listing, there are now no restrictions on imports of Argentine poultry products generally.
Argentina's Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca put 2025 poultry exports to the EU at over USD 14 million, up 32% on 2024 — the Netherlands, Spain and Germany are the main destinations within the bloc. Covered products are uncut meat, cuts and frozen edible offal.
What buyers and brokers need to check
EU poultry importers who re-sourced away from Argentina during the suspension can put those contracts back on, but only for consignments certified on or after 17 August — anything certified while the suspension was in force stays ineligible no matter when it ships. Freight forwarders and customs brokers clearing these lines should confirm the correct TRACES certificate model and that the specific exporting establishment appears on the current approved list before loading, since a listing restored mid-month is a common source of rejections at the border control post.
Why it matters
For EU poultry importers, this reopens a supply line that went dark for five months — but only for shipments certified after 17 August, so certificate dates need checking before any contract restarts. For competing suppliers into the Netherlands, Spain and Germany, Argentina's return is a new competitive pressure heading into Q4.