Kuwait resumes poultry imports from Iran, tightens rules on affected countries

The Ministry of Commerce has issued a series of new decisions regarding the import of poultry products in response to recent developments related to avian influenza.

The ministry has lifted the ban on the import of all types of poultry meat — including fresh, chilled, frozen, and processed varieties — as well as related derivatives, products, and table eggs from Iran and some parts of the United States.

This move, according to Al-Jarida, follows the official end of the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in those areas, based on international health and veterinary assessments.

At the same time, the ministry imposed new import bans on poultry meat and its derivatives from specific states within the U.S., Brazil, and the Czech Republic, where outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza have recently been confirmed.

The ban applies to all poultry meat and related products, including table eggs and processed poultry items, regardless of form (fresh, chilled, frozen, or processed).

These decisions reflect Kuwait’s continued effort to protect public health and food safety, aligning with global veterinary health standards. The Ministry of Commerce emphasized that these actions are based on recommendations from relevant international bodies such as the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

Importers and food retailers are urged to comply strictly with the new directives and ensure their supply chains are updated accordingly. The ministry will monitor compliance and take legal action against any violations.