Beijing had threatened retaliation, and it began to fall. On Monday June 17, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce opened an anti-dumping investigation into deliveries of European pork. The announcement comes just five days after the European Commission increased customs taxes on Chinese electric vehicles, with Brussels concerned about the impact of Chinese subsidies and overcapacity on member states’ automobile industries.
The Chinese procedure could extend over one year with a possible extension of six months. It covers fresh or frozen pieces of pork, certain salted or smoked products, as well as offal, including intestines and stomachs. The country is considered one of the only outlets for these latter pieces, little consumed elsewhere but appreciated in China, which limits alternative outlets if the People’s Republic were to impose prohibitive customs duties on them.
China imported six billion dollars worth of pork in 2023 (around 5.6 billion euros), half of which came from the European Union. Spain is the leading supplier with a quarter of this market, followed by Denmark, the Netherlands and France. Spanish Agriculture Minister Luis Planas hoped on Monday that there would be room for negotiation. âTrade wars are not good for anyone, especially when it comes to foodâdid he declare.
Feet or ears
âWe can only be worried for Europe and for Franceâreacts François Valy, based in Ruffiac, in Morbihan and president of the National Federation of Pork Producers. âThe Chinese market is strategic for Franceâ, adds Anne Richard, general director of the Inaporc inter-professional association. According to this organization, China is the leading country for exporting French pork. Even if they showed a decline of 20% over one year, sales to this country reached 257 million euros in 2023. These are mainly parts not consumed in France such as feet or ears, very popular in China .
In addition, the French pork industry welcomed the memorandum of understanding signed on May 6 between Chinese President Xi Jinping, on an official visit to France, and his counterpart Emmanuel Macron, paving the way for the export of white offal from French pigs. (stomachs and intestines). It put the expected increase in sales to this country at 10%. China therefore plays a key role in the promotion of European and French pigs and in balancing the markets. However, for two years, this valuation has been favorable to pig farmers.
You have 46.73% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.