context: The EU Commission announced tariffs on PRC electric vehicles on 12 June 2024, prompting more pressure on Chinese exports after the US introduced similar measures in May 2024. The National Animal Husbandry Service complaint that sparked this investigation was allegedly made on 6 June. Over half of PRC pork imports were sourced from the EU in 2023.
MofCOM (Ministry of Commerce) announced initiating an anti-dumping investigation into certain pork and pig by-products imported from the European Union on 17 June.
This decision follows a formal request submitted by the National China Animal Husbandry Service on 6 June 2024. The application, representing the domestic pork and pig by-products industry, claims that the influx of EU pork is undercutting prices and harming domestic producers. After reviewing the evidence provided, MofCOM concluded that the application met the requirements for an anti-dumping investigation.
- investigation details
- products
- fresh, chilled and frozen pork
- various pig by-products
- including offal, fatty pork, intestines, bladders and stomachs
- timeframe
- dumping investigation 1 January 2023 - 31 December 2023
- industry impact investigation 1 January 2020 - 31 December 2023
- products
- potential impact
- European pork industry leaders fear significant losses if PRC restricts imports
- the EU exports over half of its pork by-products to China, including parts not commonly consumed in Europe
- the PRC imported C¥42.84 bn (approx. €5.52 bn) worth of pork products in 2023
- with over half coming from the EU
- analysts predict severe business disruptions
- particularly for Spain, the largest with 382,000 tonnes exported to PRC in 2023
- officials express concern over finding alternative markets for products like pig ears, noses and feet
- less popular in Europe but sought after in PRC
- European pork industry leaders fear significant losses if PRC restricts imports
MofCOM states that the investigation will be conducted according to legal procedures, ensuring fair treatment for all involved parties. A decision will be made based on the investigation’s findings.