Oman bans poultry imports from Iran, the Netherlands, and Italy

OMAN – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in Oman has imposed a ban on the import of live birds and poultry products from three regions following recent animal health alerts.

Under Ministerial Resolution No. 244/2025, issued by Minister Dr. Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, imports of live birds, their products, by-products, and offal from Ardabil Province in Iran, Drenthe Province in the Netherlands, and the Veneto Region in Italy are prohibited.

The ministry said the decision was made in line with the Veterinary Quarantine Law, enacted through Royal Decree No. 45/2004, and its accompanying regulations issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 107/2008.

Authorities explained that the import restrictions will remain in place until the conditions prompting the ban are resolved and an official announcement is made to lift them.

However, poultry products that have undergone heat treatment or processing compliant with the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) are excluded from the restrictions.

Poultry sector performance

According to the ministry’s data, Oman produced 6.81 thousand metric tons of poultry meat in 2022, representing a 3.7 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Egg production has also shown steady growth, rising from 25,080 metric tons in 2019 to 32,340 metric tons in 2023, marking a 28.95 percent increase over five years.

Despite the rise in local production, Oman remains a net importer of poultry, bringing in poultry products worth about US$242 million in 2023 while exporting around US$82.4 million to markets such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar.

The country ranked 136th globally in poultry meat production in 2022, with output significantly higher than its historical low of 0.240 thousand tons recorded in 1961.

Trade and consumption trends

Oman’s major poultry import sources include Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Ukraine, and Morocco, while its export markets extend to neighboring Gulf states and Yemen.

In 2021, the nation’s per capita poultry meat consumption stood at 20.4 kilograms, up 2.72 percent from 2020, though still below the record 31.2 kilograms recorded in 2002.

Recent reports suggest a 20 percent rise in demand for frozen and ready-to-cook poultry products in 2025, a trend driven by the growing popularity of home cooking and seasonal consumption.

The ministry reaffirmed that the import ban is a preventive measure aimed at protecting animal health and ensuring the safety of poultry supplies within the country.

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