What Changed
- CFS instructed the trade to immediately suspend imports of poultry meat and products (including eggs) from Pembina (Manitoba, Canada), Stearns and Benton Counties (Minnesota, US), and Jay County (Indiana, US).
- The order was issued following notifications from WOAH regarding outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in those jurisdictions.
- CFS cited statistics showing that in H1 2026, Hong Kong SAR imported zero poultry meat or eggs from Canada, but imported ~24,190 tonnes of chilled/frozen poultry meat and ~20.2 million eggs from the US.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR) announced on October 20, 2026, that it has instructed the food trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from specific regions in Canada and the United States (US) with immediate effect. The regulatory measure was enacted to protect public health in Hong Kong SAR following notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) concerning outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in those areas.
The import suspension applies specifically to the Municipality of Pembina in the Province of Manitoba, Canada, as well as Stearns County and Benton County in the State of Minnesota, and Jay County in the State of Indiana, United States. According to trade statistics from the Census and Statistics Department cited by the CFS, no poultry meat or poultry eggs were imported into Hong Kong SAR from Canada during the first six months of 2026. However, during the same period, Hong Kong SAR imported approximately 24,190 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and around 20.2 million poultry eggs from the United States as a whole.
A spokesman for the CFS stated that the department has contacted Canadian and American authorities regarding the outbreaks. The CFS confirmed it will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and relevant national authorities, taking appropriate response actions as the situation develops. Importers, distributors, and food trade operators in Hong Kong SAR must immediately adhere to the suspension instruction and halt further orders of poultry items originating from the designated local jurisdictions in North America.
Who May Be Affected
Food trade operators, importers, exporters, and poultry producers operating in or trading from Pembina (Manitoba, Canada), Stearns and Benton Counties (Minnesota, US), and Jay County (Indiana, US) to Hong Kong SAR.
Cross-Border Context
Reflects international sanitary and phytosanitary controls enforced by Hong Kong SAR regulatory bodies on agricultural shipments originating from North America following WOAH disease notifications.
What to check next
- Future press releases from Hong Kong SAR's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) regarding adjustments to or lifting of the import suspension.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.