Windhoek – Namibia has reinstated imports of live poultry and birds from South Africa, the agriculture ministry declared on Friday. The decision comes nearly a year after a ban was imposed following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the neighboring country.
Namibia is a significant consumer of poultry, with an estimated monthly demand of 2,500 metric tons, primarily met through imports from South Africa. The resumption of trade is expected to ease supply concerns in the country.
However, the ministry has simultaneously suspended imports of live birds and uncooked poultry products from Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state due to an outbreak of avian Newcastle disease. Poultry products from the region packaged after June 18 will be either returned or destroyed at the importer’s expense, the ministry warned.
