The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) announced, this Monday (22), the imposition of provisional compensatory measures on the import of certain dairy products originating in the European Union. The preliminary decision, communicated through announcement no. 83/2025, establishes the collection of security deposits (cash guarantees) at rates ranging from 21.9% to 42.7%. The measure comes into force from Tuesday (23).
The action is interpreted by the market as retaliation for those manufactured in China. The scope of the tariff covers a variety of items, including fresh cheeses (such as requeijão), processed cheeses, blue cheeses (such as Roquefort), as well as non-concentrated milk and cream without added sugar (with a fat content greater than 10%).
Domestically, the measure seeks to offer relief to Chinese milk producers, who face a scenario of excess supply and depressed prices, pressured by slowing demand and high production costs. China is the third largest milk producer in the world and has encouraged adjustments in the herd to balance the market.
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Although provisional rates reach up to 42.7%, most European companies are expected to face rates of around 30%. The dairy announcement comes less than a week after Beijing finalized anti-dumping tariffs on EU pork. In that case, the definitive rates (between 4.9% and 19.8%) were below the provisional ones, indicating that the same pattern of adjustment could occur in the final decision on dairy products.
*With information from Dow Jones Newswires
