EU restores access for Argentine poultry, boosting exports and market recovery

The EU has officially reopened its market to Argentine poultry, signalling a significant step in the sector’s recovery and expanding trade prospects amid post-bird flu resurgence.

The European Union has formally restored access for Argentine poultry meat and products, with imports set to resume on 17 August under an implementing regulation published in the EU’s Official Journal. The move confirms Argentina’s return to recognised freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza, following sanitary work by Senasa, the agriculture ministry, the foreign ministry and private exporters.

The decision matters because the EU is a high-value, rules-driven market. According to Argentina’s government, exports of poultry products to the bloc reached almost €17m in the first 11 months of 2025, up 41% from 2024, when shipments were worth €12m. The foreign ministry said sales to Europe had already rebounded sharply after earlier disruption from bird flu.

Industry leaders see the reopening as part of a broader recovery in market access. Carlos Sinesi, executive director of the poultry processors’ association CEPA, said exports to the EU totalled 9,500 tonnes in 2024 and 11,500 tonnes in 2025, and that the sector expects to benefit from quota preferences under the Mercosur-EU trade framework.

He added that the EU move follows the reopening of the UK market and could be followed by South Korea and, later, China.