Chinese tariffs threaten European pork sector

The European Union of Livestock and Meat Workers (UECBV) has issued a statement in response to China’s tariffs. For your information, here is the full text:

The European pig sector and the entire pork value chain are deeply concerned by the results of the anti-dumping investigation carried out by the Chinese authorities last year and the temporary measures imposed on our industry.

It is too early to assess the full economic impact, but it will be felt across the Union. Producers in Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark will be hit hardest, although farmers and processors across Europe will also be affected.

China is the world’s largest importer of pork, and the European Union is its main supplier. In 2024, the EU exported more than 1.1 million tonnes of pork to China, and before these measures were introduced, the outlook for 2025 was positive. This trade relationship is based on the EU’s ability to supply large volumes of safe, high-quality pork at competitive prices.

EU exporters have also developed a high level of specialisation in products specifically destined for the Chinese market. Much of this product is not consumed in the EU due to consumer preferences. The diversion of these volumes to alternative markets only partially compensates for the disruption, as few markets can absorb such volumes at comparable prices.

As a result, we expect an immediate drop in sales and order cancellations, leading to a sharp decline in margins. The increase in domestic supply will put downward pressure on prices, ultimately hitting European farmers the hardest.

This situation exacerbates the existing challenges facing the pork production chain, including recent animal epidemics and other trade restrictions imposed in a number of Member States. The new measures threaten to further destabilise an already stressed sector.

At the UECBV, we are working closely with our members and the European Commission to assess the impacts, explore mitigation strategies and build resilience in the EU pig sector. Our priority is to support producers, processors and traders across the Union during this challenging period and we hope that constructive dialogue between the EU and China will help reduce current tensions and restore balanced trade relations.

Tags: pork, EU, duties, China