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The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Wednesday announced that, starting on February 6, anti-dumping duties ranging from 12.6 percent to 56.7 percent on potato starch imported from the EU will be extended for another period of five years.

The decision came after a review of the anti-dumping measures, launched at the request of domestic potato starch producers, according to a statement released on the ministry's official website. The continued imposition of these duties aims to prevent potential harm to the domestic industry and ensure a level playing field in the market, it said.

"The MOFCOM has ruled that if the anti-dumping measures were lifted, the dumping of potato starch from the EU could continue or reoccur, and the harm on China's domestic potato starch industry could continue or reoccur," the statement said.

Based on the findings, the MOFCOM submitted a recommendation to the State Council Tariff Commission to continue the anti-dumping duties, which were subsequently approved, according to the statement.

The MOFCOM statement specified that beginning February 6, importers of potato starch originating from EU companies should pay the applicable anti-dumping duties to Chinese customs at the time of import.

Under the new measures, the specific anti-dumping duty rates for EU companies are as follows: Coöperatie Koninklijke Avebe U.A. and Avebe Kartoffelstärkefabrik Prignitz/Wendland GmbH will face a 12.6-percent duty, while other EU firms, including Roquette Frères, will be subject to a 56.7-percent duty.

Potato starch is used in the food industry in China as an important raw material for the production of food additives such as emulsifiers and is widely used in the production of products such as sausages and packaged food. 

The ministry's move on Wednesday is the latest development in the long-standing anti-dumping measures on the EU product dating back to 2007. On February 5, 2007, the MOFCOM announced the imposition of anti-dumping duties on potato starch imported from the bloc. 

Since then, the duty rates have been adjusted and extended multiple times. On April 18, 2011, they were adjusted to a range from 12.6 percent to 56.7 percent. The measures were further extended in 2013 and 2019, each for a five-year period, according to the MOFCOM. 

Global Times