The Official Journal of EU has announced that a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of certain preserved citrus fruits (namely mandarins, etc…) originating in the China Republic has been extended until December 2019. The duties as high as 531.20 Euros a metric ton punish Chinese exporters for selling in the EU below the cost, a practise known as dumping. Chinese exporters such as Niugbo Griosheng Foods Co. and Zhejiang Iceman Group Co. have continued to dump shipments in the EU “at a significant level” said EU Commission in the Official Journal.
China’s market hare of EU’s roughly 100 million euro followed a downward, from 71% in 2009-2010 to 43% in the following years, according to the Commission. Anti-dumping measures were annulled in March 2012 and imports from China massively increased until June 2012 when imports become subject to registration. Importers used the annulment of the anti dumping duties to build up stocks in 2011-2012 and put these products on the European market at cheap prices. This caused a significant overall price pressure on the EU market and, as a result the financial situation of the industry deteriorated. Indeed the industry had no choice but to decrease its prices in order to maintain its level of sales. This however had serious consequences on its financial situation. The EU anti-dumping duties range from 361.40 euro a ton to 531.20 euro a ton, depending on Chinese company.