The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced that New Zealand chicken exports are returning to normal following a suspension caused by an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H7N6 detected at a commercial egg farm in Otago in December 2024.
The affected farm, Hillgrove Egg Farm, managed by Mainland Poultry, is home to approximately 40,000 chickens. Quick action was taken after the detection of the virus, including the implementation of a large-scale culling operation to contain the outbreak.
Additional steps were also taken to prevent further transmission, such as enhanced surveillance and a temporary halt on poultry exports.
MPI’s divisional manager for bilateral relations and trade, Steve Ainsworth, said, “Good progress is being made to restore trade, with around $300 million (about 75%) of trade in poultry products recovered to date.”
“This includes products containing poultry ingredients, such as pet food,” he said.
A spokesperson for Tegel Foods confirmed that several international markets have temporarily restricted New Zealand chicken exports following the bird flu outbreak in Otago.
“However, we’ve been working closely with MPI, who have been highly proactive and supportive in helping us regain access to those markets,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re now down to only a couple of markets where access is still being worked through.”
New Zealand’s main chicken exporters include Tegel, Ingham’s, Brinks, and Tara Exports. These companies export a variety of chicken products, including retail cuts, to numerous international markets.
Meanwhile, testing has confirmed that farms associated with Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove site are free of the virus. According to the Ministry for Primary Industries, there is no evidence of the disease at any other locations.