06 April 2026
Argentina’s poultry sector is at a critical juncture as the 2026 wave of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 continues to challenge existing containment strategies. Following the loss of its “HPAI-free” status earlier this year, the country is now grappling with a marked increase in commercial outbreaks, prompting a nationwide debate over the adoption of emergency vaccination protocols.
As of April 2026, the National Health and Food Quality Service (SENASA) has confirmed 21 outbreaks nationwide. The most affected regions include the provinces of Buenos Aires (particularly near Ranchos and Lobos), Córdoba, and Río Negro.
The virus was reintroduced into commercial production systems in February 2026, leading to the immediate suspension of fresh poultry exports in compliance with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards.
The most significant development in the current crisis is the formal appeal by the Argentine Chamber of Poultry Producers (CAPIA). In March 2026, CAPIA leadership, headed by President Javier Prida, warned that the traditional “stamping-out” policy is no longer sufficient to safeguard the industry. An estimated 95% of domestic poultry production is currently at risk of infection. CAPIA is urging the government to approve a targeted vaccination program, particularly for long-lived birds (layers and breeders). Producers argue that without a transition to vaccination, the financial burden of culling, in the absence of adequate compensation, may lead to the collapse of the egg supply chain.
