The Department of Agriculture (DA) has removed restrictions on Argentina poultry imports under Department Circular No. 29, Series of 2026, signed by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and released publicly recently. The ban—covering live birds, meat, chicks, eggs, and semen—was first imposed due to concerns over highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It was lifted after official reports confirmed the disease outbreak in Argentina had ended with no new cases, and DA assessments found the risk of contamination is now negligible.
All imports will follow existing regulations. The move is expected to stabilize local poultry supply and prices, which shifted during the ban. In the first four months of 2026, Argentina supplied nearly 1.96 million kg of chicken, or 0.9 percent of the country’s total imports. As of June 6, whole chicken in Metro Manila was priced at P220 per kg.
The decision secures an additional supply source, helping keep poultry products affordable and available for consumers while maintaining health safety standards.
