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Saudi Arabia halts poultry & egg imports from India, 39 other nations amid health concerns
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Monday, 02 March, 2026, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has imposed a comprehensive ban on poultry meat and table egg imports from 40 countries, including India, in a precautionary move to safeguard public health and strengthen food safety measures within the Kingdom. The announcement comes amid rising global concerns over outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza and other animal diseases.
Under the updated regulations, imports of poultry and eggs from India and 39 other nations are now entirely prohibited. The affected countries span Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and include Bangladesh, China, Germany, Iran, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Mexico and Nepal, among others.
In addition to the full ban, Saudi authorities have also imposed partial restrictions on specific regions and provinces in 16 other countries. These targeted curbs affect select areas in nations such as the United States, Australia, Belgium, France, Canada, Malaysia and the Philippines, rather than nation-wide prohibitions.
According to the SFDA, the updated list reflects ongoing risk assessments and international disease surveillance data. Some countries on the ban list had been subject to restrictions for many years, while others were added recently following epidemiological reviews tied to avian influenza outbreaks.
However, the ban does not extend to processed poultry products. Fully heat-treated and certified poultry items that meet stringent health and safety standards — including official veterinary health certification and production from approved facilities — may still be imported into Saudi Arabia.
Saudi regulators said that all inbound consignments will be subject to rigorous inspections at ports of entry to ensure compliance with the new health and safety protocols. The decision underscores the Kingdom’s heightened biosecurity stance as it continues to monitor global animal health developments closely.
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