Exports were suspended in May after a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed at a commercial farm in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of chicken meat, had to stop shipments to key markets including China, the European Union , and several Latin American countries.

A second case was later found in wild birds at the zoo in Brasilia, but it did not trigger new export bans as it was not linked to poultry farms.

Officials said the outbreak was fully contained and reported the recovery to the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said poultry exports will resume gradually. Brazil plays a major role in the global poultry market, supplying chicken to more than 150 countries.

Bird flu has spread across several continents in recent years, forcing the culling of millions of birds and pushing up food prices.

Although human cases remain rare, the World Health Organisation has warned that the virus can cause serious illness in people exposed to infected animals or contaminated environments.

Thailand's poultry exports reached a record 320,000 metric tons in Q3 2024, marking an 11% increase from the previous year, according to the Rabobank Global Poultry Quarterly 2025 report . Total exports for the first three months of 2024 were 920,000 metric tons, up 6% year-over-year. Processed poultry exports particularly thrived, hitting 505,000 metric tons (14% increase) due to strong demand from Europe and Singapore, while raw/salted chicken trade showed weakness.

Rescue operation

A Hong Kong task force, led by Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk, received a positive response from Thailand regarding the rescue of 12 Hong Kong detainees at scam centres near the Thai-Myanmar and Myanmar-Laos borders. Cheuk noted that while the Thai government is committed to the issue, the chaotic conditions in these areas make any rescue operations challenging, and there is no set timeline for their efforts.

Deportation of 48 Uyghurs to China

A human rights group has urged Thailand not to deport 48 Uyghurs to China, where they face persecution. The men have been detained since 2014 after fleeing Xinjiang. Reports of coercion by Thai authorities to prepare for their deportation have heightened concerns for their safety. Justice for All emphasized the need to uphold international human rights standards and the non-refoulement principle, which protects individuals from being returned to places where they risk serious violations.

Greenlight for casino and gambling

Thailand's cabinet has approved a bill to legalize casino gambling, which will be reviewed by the Council of State before debating in parliament. The draft bill permits gambling only in integrated resorts that include various non-gaming facilities. Companies like Melco, Galaxy Entertainment, and MGM Resorts have expressed interest in operating these resorts. The move is seen as beneficial for domestic tourism and the economy, aligning Thailand with other regional markets that offer regulated gambling options, such as Singapore and Vietnam.

Killing of Cambodian government critic Lim Kimya

Thai police have charged Aekaluck Paenoi, a former navy officer and motorcycle taxi driver, with premeditated murder in the killing of Cambodian government critic Lim Kimya in Bangkok on January 7. Lim, 74, an outspoken opponent of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, was shot dead in broad daylight. Aekaluck was arrested in Cambodia and returned to Thailand, where he faces additional charges related to illegal weapon possession. Authorities are searching for a second suspect, identified as Pich Kimsrin, believed to have acted as a spotter.

U.S. Department of Agriculture reveals that Minnesota stands at the forefront, producing nearly 34 million turkeys annually. The state’s success is attributed to multi-generational farming expertise, fertile land supporting abundant corn and soybean crops, and advancements in veterinary science that ensure efficient and sustainable production.

North Carolina ranks second in turkey production, with 27.5 million birds raised annually. The state's moderate climate and relatively low production costs make it a key player in the industry.

In third place is Arkansas, contributing approximately 25 million turkeys to the national supply—accounting for 12% of the total. Home to major poultry companies such as Butterball and Tyson Foods, Arkansas plays a pivotal role in feeding the nation, underscoring the importance of its poultry industry.

As Americans enjoy their Thanksgiving dinners, it’s worth recognizing the efforts of the farmers, agricultural workers, and industries that make the holiday’s centrepiece possible. From the Midwest’s vast farmlands to the South’s thriving poultry hubs, turkey production for Thanksgiving is a testament to the hard work and innovation driving American agriculture.

In August 2024, new vehicle sales in the Philippines rose 7% to 39,155 units compared to 36,714 units the previous year, driven by strong domestic economic activity. The country's GDP grew by 6.3% in Q2 2024, supported by government spending and stable household consumption despite a significant interest rate hike. Just Auto reports that commercial vehicle sales increased by 11%, while passenger vehicle sales fell by 6% due to adverse weather conditions. For the first eight months of 2024, total vehicle sales grew 10% to 304,765 units, with commercial vehicles up 9% and passenger cars up 14%. Major brands like Toyota and Mitsubishi reported significant sales increases, with the Philippine government promoting hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to bolster market growth. Toyota plans to launch its new Tamaraw utility vehicle by November 2024.

Postal improvement

Japan is committed to modernising the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) by providing expert consultancy from its Ministry of Internal Affairs, Japan Post, and Toshiba. This initiative follows the visit of Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tsuge Yoshifumi, who emphasised collaboration in improving PHLPost's infrastructure and operational capabilities, Post and Parcel reports. With e-commerce sales in the Philippines projected to grow from USD 17 billion in 2021 to USD 24 billion by 2025, Japan aims to enhance PHLPost's digital services and technology to meet the demands of this sector. The partnership is expected to improve mail processing reliability and expand PHLPost's e-commerce operations.

Monsoon and tropical cyclones

At least 20 people have died and 14 are missing in the Philippines due to the southwest monsoon and two tropical cyclones, Ferdie and Gener. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that nearly 600,000 people were affected across 12 regions, with significant flooding and damage to 930 houses and infrastructure. Socialnews reports that the Philippines, prone to an average of 20 typhoons annually, faces risks of heavy rains, flooding, and strong winds resulting in casualties and property destruction.

Philippines, Kuwait protection of workers

The Philippines has resumed the deployment of workers to Kuwait with new protective measures aimed at safeguarding their rights and welfare, following a suspension that began last year after the murder of a Filipino domestic worker. The agreement between the two countries includes enhanced worker protections, a joint committee for labour affairs, a whitelisting system for recruitment agencies, and the appointment of welfare desk officers. According to Arab News , The initial group of 35 experienced workers will join approximately 270,000 Filipinos currently in Kuwait. Additional measures like electronic salary payments aim to address issues of wage delays and non-payment.

UK Poultry imports

The British Embassy in the Philippines celebrated the return of UK poultry imports after a three-year ban due to avian influenza. Ambassador Laure Beaufils highlighted this milestone during a networking reception on September 17, 2024, emphasising the UK’s commitment to high safety standards in agriculture. The ban's lifting was formalised by the Department of Agriculture's Memorandum Order No. 34, restarting trade that previously made the UK the sixth-largest poultry supplier to the Philippines. Recent trade figures indicate UK-Philippines trade reached £2.8 billion in 2023. A regionalisation agreement was also established to ensure safe trade amid potential HPAI outbreaks. The event highlighted the collaborative efforts between UK and Philippine authorities and reinforced the importance of agricultural trade in meeting consumer demand.

The import reduction is largely attributed to strategies implemented by the country’s authorities to capitalise on favourable pricing conditions when international chicken prices experienced fluctuations.

Although Mexico increased its import volume by 20%, the overall cost decreased by 8.5% .

The country has also revamped its local poultry industry, leading to increased domestic production. This has led to less reliance on imports as local producers meet more demand.

The development is in line with Mexico’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in poultry production.

What they said

Representing the Kenyan High Commissioner to Tanzania, Co-chair of the meeting from Kenya Rabson Wanjala iterated the commitment of both countries towards fostering trade relations and ensuring increased trade in the region. Acting Director of veterinary services in Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Benezeth Lutege Malinda said Tanzania is ensuring that all trade-facilitating agencies focus on resolving issues, particularly non-tariff barriers that hamper trade. “We remain committed to tackling these challenges and fostering an environment conducive to seamless trade between Kenya and Tanzania,” he was quoted by The East African as saying.