By Ana Mano and Roberto Samora

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazilian chicken exports are expected to fall as much as 2% to 5.2 million metric tons this year, meat lobby ABPA said on Wednesday, citing the impact of trade embargoes by large importers following a local outbreak of bird flu in May.

Brazil, the world’s largest exporter, reported its first ever bird flu outbreak in a chicken breeding farm in the south.

Countries like China, Brazil’s top trade partner, have not yet lifted trade embargoes even though the Brazilian government managed to control the outbreak within a month. Other trade partners have gradually eased restrictions over time.

ABPA had previously expected Brazilian chicken exports to rise as much as 1.9% this year.

The group, which represents firms like BRF and JBS, said B

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