Saudi Arabia lifts ban on poultry imports from Denmark, France and Ireland
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has announced its decision to lift the temporary ban on imports of poultry meat, table eggs, and their products from specific regions in three European countries: Denmark, Ireland, and France. This decision comes in response to documented international reports confirming the complete containment of avian influenza outbreaks in those regions, thus opening the door to diversifying food sources in the Saudi market.
Details of the areas covered by the decision
The decision issued by the authority included the immediate authorization of entry for shipments arriving from Southern Denmark in the Kingdom of Denmark, Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, and Ain in the French Republic. The authority based its decision on immediate notification reports issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), which confirmed that no new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza had been recorded in these geographical areas, thus making their products safe for human consumption and compliant with health standards.
International standards and strict control mechanisms
This move is in line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to international standards stipulated in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, which allows member states to lift trade bans once the epidemic threat has subsided and is confirmed to be under control. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) employs a sophisticated monitoring and early warning system to track the global epidemiological situation, enabling it to make flexible decisions that balance protecting public health with ensuring the flow of goods.
Despite the lifting of the ban, the authority confirmed that all incoming shipments will be subject to strict monitoring and health requirements upon arrival at the ports, to ensure their compliance with Saudi standard specifications, including being free of any contaminants and adhering to "halal" standards, in order to preserve the health and safety of the community.
Economic dimensions and enhancing food security
This decision carries significant economic implications, as it contributes to strengthening the stability of food supply chains in the Kingdom. Diversifying import sources from countries with reliable health standards reduces the risk of supply shortages and helps stabilize prices in the local market, ultimately benefiting the end consumer. The decision also reflects the effectiveness of the preventative measures taken by the Kingdom to ensure the sustainability of food security, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 to provide high-quality food.
Generalization to the business sector
In a related development, the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, circulated these official decisions to the business sector and importers. The Ministry of Commerce called upon chambers of commerce to inform merchants of these updates so they could immediately begin contracting and shipping procedures in accordance with the updated regulations and the dates of the decisions issued in January 2026. This will enable importers to expand their trade options and meet the growing market needs with flexibility and efficiency.
