Chicken imports may rise as duty lapses

Preliminary antidumping duties against imports of frozen bone-in chicken from three of SA’s trading partners in the European Union have lapsed in the new year, opening the way for increased inflows until SA completes an antidumping investigation.

Although the lapsing of the duties that range from 22% to 73% means poultry from Germany, the Netherlands and UK can enter SA duty free, the detection of bird flu in these countries since November last year is expected to put a lid on imports into SA.

International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) communications manager Foster Mohale said on Wednesday that its investigation into the allegations by the South African Poultry Association, that these countries were dumping frozen bone-in chicken in the Southern African Customs Union market, would be finalised by the end of next month.

However, Itac still had until the end of April to decide if it was necessary to impose the duties for at least five years. READ MORE

Source: www.bdlive.co.za