China to levy higher tariffs on pork imports in 2022

China will raise import tariffs on most pork products in 2022, said the finance ministry, after the world's top producer rapidly expanded domestic production and reduced its needs for imports.

Tariffs for most favoured nations will return to 12% on Jan. 1, from 8% currently. China lowered its tariffs on frozen pork in 2020 from 12% to 8% as the country faced soaring domestic meat prices in the aftermath of a devastating outbreak of African swine fever.

Imports surged to a record and remained at high levels through the first half of the year, even as the hog herd recovered and prices fell below production cost by the third quarter.

The higher rates will further slow imports from top exporters like the United States and Spain that have already dropped sharply in recent months. Most U.S. pork shipments to China face a 25% retaliatory tariff imposed during the trade war between Washington and Beijing, in addition to the most favoured nations (MFN) tariff.

Reuters.com