Saudi Arabia’s food safety regulator, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), has announced a ban on poultry egg imports from Nigeria and 39 other countries, citing public health and food safety concerns.
The agency also imposed partial restrictions on egg imports from 16 additional countries.
Scope of the Ban
According to the SFDA, the temporary ban affects egg imports from countries including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, India, Japan, and several others across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
However, the authority clarified that the restriction does not apply to heat-treated poultry meat and related products, provided they meet approved health and safety standards.
Countries Under Partial Restrictions
Partial restrictions were imposed on certain regions within countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Belgium, Malaysia, and others.
Public Health Justification
The SFDA said the measures were taken over concerns related to food safety standards. While specific health risks were not detailed in the announcement, such bans are typically linked to outbreaks of avian influenza or other poultry-related diseases.
Potential Trade Impact
The move could affect poultry exporters in Nigeria and other impacted countries, particularly businesses relying on access to Middle Eastern markets. Saudi Arabia remains a significant importer of agricultural and food products.
Authorities have not indicated how long the restrictions will remain in place, but such measures are often reviewed based on updated health risk assessments and compliance with international food safety standards.
