Chile: Meat export sector advances in sanitary modernization with electronic certification for shipments to Mexico
After more than a decade of joint work between the health authorities of both countries - the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) of Chile and the National Service of Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) of Mexico - on March 2, 2026, the electronic livestock certification (ECERT) in paperless mode for exports of beef, sheep, porc and poultry meat and by-products from Chile to Mexico officially came into effect.
The implementation of this modality consolidates a process prioritized on the bilateral health agenda and which today translates into a concrete improvement for the export sector, by modernizing procedures and facilitating trade.
Strategic market and competitive projection
This destination is strategic for the national sector. In the case of poultry, it is the second largest export market, making the implementation of the digital system a significant step in terms of trade facilitation and competitiveness. With this system—in addition to the electronic systems already operational for the United States and China—more than 77% of the volume of poultry exported will be covered under electronic certification.
“This is a very important milestone for our sector. Paperless electronic certification not only modernizes health management, but also improves process efficiency and strengthens trust in trade. It is the result of sustained technical work between authorities and the private sector, and reaffirms Chile as a reliable supplier of high-quality meat and by-products,” highlighted Rodrigo Castañón, business manager of ChileCarne.
Electronic certification in paperless mode eliminates the use of security sheets and replaces traditional physical support with digital documents with full official validity, strengthening health traceability and simplifying administrative management.
In practice, certification is managed through the SAG's ECZE (Electronic Animal Health Certification Export) system, the official platform that allows for the online issuance and validation of export health certificates. Under this system, the document is no longer printed on security paper but operates in a fully valid digital format, simplifying administrative procedures and reducing the time and costs associated with the process.
The implementation of the system has been smooth, reflecting effective coordination between both health authorities and an orderly transition to this digital framework. The measure was formalized through Circular No. 147/2026 of the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), which officially establishes this new standard for bilateral trade.
This progress consolidates the public-private collaboration developed in recent years to strengthen health cooperation, improve traceability, and modernize foreign trade processes. For the export sector, it translates into a concrete tool that optimizes document management, reduces administrative time and costs, and provides greater operational efficiency, positioning Chile as a reliable and competitive supplier of meat and byproducts in strategic markets.
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