The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) ordered an immediate halt to imports of poultry meat and eggs from Sorø Municipality (Denmark), West-Vlaanderen (Belgium) and Oberhavel, Brandenburg (Germany) after the World Organisation for Animal Health reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. The 23 October directive covers roughly 270 tonnes of frozen poultry and 150,000 eggs shipped to Hong Kong in the first half of 2025.
Although the ban targets goods, it affects global mobility by forcing hotel chains, airlines and catering contractors to secure alternative suppliers—especially for inflight meals and serviced-apartment breakfast menus that specify EU-origin eggs. Logistics managers must update import health certificates and factor in extra lead times from replacement sources such as Thailand or Brazil.
The move follows a regional spike in H5N1 detections that has triggered similar import curbs by Singapore and Macao, raising the risk of cascading supply shocks. Corporations relocating staff to Hong Kong should communicate potential menu changes in serviced accommodation and prepare for short-term price hikes in European poultry dishes.
CFS will monitor WOAH alerts, and import bans are typically lifted 90 days after the last outbreak is eradicated. Food-service operators that breach the order face suspension of import licences.
Although the ban targets goods, it affects global mobility by forcing hotel chains, airlines and catering contractors to secure alternative suppliers—especially for inflight meals and serviced-apartment breakfast menus that specify EU-origin eggs. Logistics managers must update import health certificates and factor in extra lead times from replacement sources such as Thailand or Brazil.
The move follows a regional spike in H5N1 detections that has triggered similar import curbs by Singapore and Macao, raising the risk of cascading supply shocks. Corporations relocating staff to Hong Kong should communicate potential menu changes in serviced accommodation and prepare for short-term price hikes in European poultry dishes.
CFS will monitor WOAH alerts, and import bans are typically lifted 90 days after the last outbreak is eradicated. Food-service operators that breach the order face suspension of import licences.
