An outbreak of bird flu in poultry in the U.S. state of Georgia, the nation's top chicken producer, is expected to prompt trade restrictions from major meat importers, warned an industry group on Tuesday, foreseeing potential financial repercussions for farmers and processors.
Last week, a flock of 45,500 breeder chickens tested positive in Elbert County, Georgia, near the South Carolina border, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, marking the state's initial confirmed case in a commercial poultry operation, as reported by Georgia's agriculture department.
Concerns rise among food producers about potential repercussions from President Donald Trump's tariffs on goods from trading partners like China and Mexico, raising fears of retaliatory actions that could impact U.S. agricultural exports.
In situations of commercial flock outbreaks, trade restrictions on poultry products from the affected county or state are usually imposed. The expected restrictions on Georgia's poultry industry pose a significant threat to producers and processors, including Pilgrim's Pride.
Initial export losses could reach approximately $34 million, stated the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.
The group also indicated that Mexico, the largest importer of U.S. poultry products, is likely to cease purchases from Georgia for two to four weeks until the ban is revised to apply at the county level. Taiwan, the third-largest U.S. poultry importer, is anticipated to halt poultry imports from Georgia for an estimated six to eight months.
Additionally, South Korea is expected to implement a ban on Georgia's poultry, to be lifted 28 days after the virus is eliminated, a process that may take three to four months, according to the council's projections.
The USDA had no immediate comment on potential trade restrictions.
More than 138 million U.S. chickens, turkeys, and other birds have succumbed to bird flu or been culled for disease containment since 2022. Also, since 2024, approximately farmworkers have tested positive.
"This poses a serious threat to Georgia's leading industry," stated Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper in a released statement.
According to USDA records, China has barred Georgia's poultry since 2023, following the detection of bird flu in a commercial waterfowl flock.