China’s retaliatory tariffs to squeeze EU pork producers

By Gus Trompiz

PARIS (Reuters) -European pork producers face a squeeze on profit margins after China, their largest market, imposed anti-dumping duties of up to 62.4% on imports of EU pork products.

The provisional tariffs, effective on Wednesday, target over $2 billion worth of annual exports and threaten to erode margins across the European Union’s pork sector.

China accounts for a quarter of EU pork exports. Shipments to China rose 4% in the first half of 2025 after a three-year decline.

Offal products — such as pig ears, noses and feet — make up more than half of these exports, according to Rabobank. These items are popular in China but have limited demand elsewhere, leaving European producers few alternative markets.

“We’ll continue exporting but at lower value,” said Thierry Meyer, vice president of French pork industry group Inaporc.

He warned that the duties, combined with a stronger euro, could pressure exporters and reduce farmgate prices, potentially slowing pig production in Europe.

The sector had recently begun recovering, helped by falling input costs for feed and energy. The new tariffs now threaten that rebound.

On Friday, China’s Ministry of Commerce said a preliminary investigation found evidence of dumping that harmed its domestic producers.

The investigation and duties are widely viewed as retaliation for EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, escalating trade tensions that have also seen Beijing investigate European brandy and dairy.

European pork producers had hoped that Beijing’s decision to extend the investigation for six months in June meant a resolution to the broader EV dispute was within reach.

FEW ALTERNATIVE MARKETS FOR OFFAL

Initial Chinese tariffs on EU pork products, to be paid as deposits, range from 15.6% to 32.7% for companies cooperating with the probe, while others face the full 62.4% rate. The investigation is set to conclude in December.

“Although trade will continue, downward pressure on EU pig prices is expected,” said Eva Gocsik, global animal protein strategist at Rabobank. She noted that alternative markets like pet food offer limited margins for offal, while diverting non-offal meat could intensify price competition in other markets.

Spain is the most exposed EU country, accounting for nearly half of pork exports to China, followed by the Netherlands, Denmark, and France. Spanish pork group Interporc and the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, which represents agri-food sectors including pork, said they would continue engaging with Chinese authorities during the investigation.