February 15, 2007

Saudi Arabia lift bans on poultry imports on 42 countries

Saudi Arabia, a major importer of poultry meat, has lifted bans on poultry imports from 42 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe, the trade and industry ministry said this week.

Brazil and France have been supplying most of the kingdom's poultry supply since the ban.

Saudi Arabia needs to import 40 percent of its poultry supplies.

The kingdom spends some US$500 million to import 450,000 tonnes of poultry meat each year.

The countries whose bans were lifted included China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey.