China fires up over ‘dumping’ allegations

HEFTY import duties of up to 56 per cent could be imposed on Australian barley imported into China as of this week in the wake of barley dumping allegations from the Chinese Government.

The Federal Government and Australian grain industry are responding to allegations Australian barley was sold into China at a price lower than the Chinese domestic market – an allegation submitted via the World Trade Organisation.

The prospect of import tariffs could affect areas sown to barley this year, according to Grain Producers Australia southern chairman Andrew Weidemann.

“From Grain Producers Australia’s perspective, we’re wondering where the China dumping allegations will impact in regards to areas sown to barley. Growers will be watching that develop over time,” Mr Weidemann said.

“What is new to Australia is that we could be imposed with some kind of duty.

“We’ve still got to grow something, and that’s the main concern.”

The Chinese Government alleged Australia dumped barley “within the border of the People’s Republic of China during the investigation period October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018”.

According to Chinese customs statistics, an increase in volume and decrease in price of barley imported from Australia in recent years was “quite obvious”, with imports increasing from 3.8 million tonnes in 2014 to 6.4 million tonnes in 2017.

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the Government had completed a response to the allegations and “supplied this information to the 70-plus respondents in the industry”.

“The Commonwealth has also made representations about the matter in Beijing,” Mr Littleproud said.

The anti-dumping investigation could take 18 months.