China’s Ministry of Commerce has launched an anti-dumping investigation into EU pork and by-products, targeting companies from Denmark, Spain, and the Netherlands. The investigation will assess potential dumping practices and their impact on China’s domestic industry. This move could significantly affect EU pork exports, with Spain facing the largest potential impact. The investigation’s outcomes will be crucial for future China-EU trade relations.
In June, China’s Ministry of Commerce initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imported pork and by-products from the European Union, focusing on major exporters like Danish Crown A/S, VION Boxtel B.V., and Litera Meat S.L.U. from Denmark, Spain, and the Netherlands, respectively. The investigation targets products such as pig ears, feet, and offal.
Due to the large scale of the investigation, the Ministry is using a sampling method to streamline the process. This approach was detailed recently when the ministry published its sampling plan and initial findings. The companies involved are required to provide detailed sales and cost data by June 17, 2025, to ascertain if dumping has occurred and its impact on China’s domestic industry. The Ministry emphasized that the sampling method not only enhances efficiency but is also crucial due to the impracticality of a full-scale investigation, which could overburden the authorities and delay outcomes.
The backdrop of this investigation includes rising trade tensions, notably after the EU’s recent imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The Ministry asserts that this investigation follows requests from domestic industries and adheres to Chinese laws and WTO rules.
The implications for the EU are significant. Reuters reports that in 2023, China imported over USD 6 billion in pork and by-products, nearly half of which originated from Europe. Spain, the largest EU exporter and significantly reliant on the Chinese market, could face severe impacts if anti-dumping measures are confirmed.
The European pork industry, along with EU companies and trade organizations, has expressed concerns about the investigation’s potential disruption to trade dynamics. They have committed to fully cooperate to ensure the investigation’s fairness and transparency. Analysts suggest that confirmed dumping could lead to additional trade restrictions, urging the European pork sector to seek alternative markets to lessen dependence on China.
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