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Editor's note: This article was originally published on June 18, 2024, and was updated on August 22, 2024, as per the latest developments.
On August 21, 2024, China Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced to launch anti-dumping investigations into certain dairy products imported from the EU. This is the second anti-dumping investigation launched by China against pork from the EU in June this year, targeting EU food products.
It is disclosed that this investigation is expected to conclude by August 21, 2025, with an extension of six months if necessary. More details about the investigation are:
Dumping investigation period: April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024
Industrial damage investigation period: January 1, 2020 – March 31, 2024
Scope of the investigation: imported certain dairy products originating from the EU
Product purpose: primarily used as food for direct consumption or after processing
Product description: fresh cheese (including whey cheese) and curd, processed cheese (whether grated or powdered), blue-veined cheese and other cheeses with veins produced by Penicillium roqueforti, other cheeses not elsewhere specified, milk and cream that are unconcentrated and unsweetened (with a fat content by weight exceeding 10%)
Product HS codes in China: 04015000, 04061000, 04062000, 04063000, 04064000, 04069000
Regarding the dairy products involved in this investigation, China imported these products from a total of 31 countries in 2023. Among them, 14 countries are EU members, accounting for approximately 29% of the total annual import value. Among these 14 EU members, the largest import values were from France, Italy, and Denmark, while the smallest were from Greece, Cyprus, and Latvia.
On June 17, 2024, China Ministry of Commerce (MOC) issued a notification, announcing to launch anti-dumping investigations into pork and pig by-products imported from the EU. This decision is perceived as a retaliatory response to the EU's recent imposition of anti-subsidy duties on Chinese electric vehicles.
The notification disclosed that the Chinese pork industry submitted an application on June 6, 2024, to commence an anti-dumping probe into EU pork and by-products. Following a thorough evaluation, the MOC decided to proceed with the investigation, expected to conclude by June 17, 2025, with an extension of six months if necessary.
More details about the investigation
• Dumping investigation period: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
• Industrial damage investigation period: January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2023
• Scope of the investigation: imported pork and pig by-products originating from the EU
• Product purpose: mainly for human consumption.
• Product description: products processed from slaughtered pigs including fresh, chilled, and frozen pork; fresh, chilled, and frozen edible pig offal; fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, smoked, salted, or brined, unrendered or otherwise extracted, fatty pork without lean meat and pig fat; fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, smoked, salted, or brined pig intestines, bladders, and stomachs, whole or in pieces.
• Product HS codes in China: 02031110, 02031190, 02031200, 02031900, 02032110, 02032190, 02032200, 02032900, 02063000, 02064100, 02064900, 02091000, 05040011, 05040014, 05040029 (excluding non-pig products), 05040090 (excluding non-pig products)
China's pork imports from the EU
In 2023, China imported a total of 2,792,232 tons pork and pig by-products from 17 countries, amounting to a trade value of 6.9 billion USD. Out of the 17 countries, 8 countries are EU members, namely, Spain, Netherlands, Denmark, France, Ireland, Finland, Austria, and Portugal, together accounting for 48% of the total. Notably, Spain was the largest pork and by-products exporter to China in 2023. The completion of the investigation is likely to significantly impact the China-EU pork trade.
Top 10 Pork and Pig By-Products Exporters to China in 2023
Trade partner | Trade value (USD) | Market share |
Spain | 1.5 billion | 22% |
US | 1.4 billion | 21% |
Brazil | 1.1 billion | 16% |
Netherlands | 620 million | 9% |
Denmark | 608 million | 9% |
Canada | 515 million | 7% |
France | 363 million | 5% |
Chile | 252 million | 4% |
UK | 239 million | 3% |
Ireland | 124 million | 2% |
Notes: the data is retrieved from GACC online data query platform, based on the HS codes involved in the investigation. Due to platform limits, products under 05040029 and 05040090 are all covered, including non-pig products.
Rumors about the next target – dairy?
Prior to the MOC's announcement on EU pork, media reports suggested that China might also target EU dairy imports. Given the importance of the EU as a key dairy supplier, accounting for 36% of China's dairy imports in 2023, this sector might also face increased scrutiny amid the escalating trade tensions. ChemLinked will continue to monitor these developments closely.
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