China delays decision on EU pork imports

China has extended a probe into imported pork from the European Union by 6 months. The decision came earlier this week, days before the investigation was due to wrap up.

The investigation, initiated mid-June 2024, is regarded as retaliation for EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle exports and has hit over US$ 2 billion in pork exports. The EU pork exports are concentrated in major producers such as Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark. Beijing suspects European meat processors are “dumping” – selling pork products on the Chinese market at an artificially low price.

China is the world’s largest pork consuming country. It decided to extend the investigation period to December 16 due to the “complexity” of the case, the country’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on its website. The decision to delay comes as China and the EU close in on a deal over the electric vehicle tariffs. The European duties, which amount to up to 35% for certain cars, caused a trade conflict. Beijing has already extended its anti-dumping investigation into EU brandy.

A significant portion of the EU’s pork shipments to China consists of offal, like pig ears, noses and feet, which are highly valued in Chinese cuisine. In 2024, China imported US$ 4.8 billion worth of pork, including offal, in 2024 – over half of it from the EU, with Spain leading the EU in exports by volume.

The extension of the probe was cautiously welcomed by industry representatives in the EU, collectively the world’s largest pork exporter.

Tags: pork, European Union, imports, investigation, tariffs, China, exports