China to lower import tariffs from January

Beijing will lower import tariffs on more than 850 products including frozen pork from next month, the finance ministry said Monday, as authorities battle a severe shortage of the meat staple.

China’s pig industry has been hammered by African swine fever, which has led to the culling of more than a million animals, according to official statistics, and caused the price of pork to double.

Monday’s announcement said tariffs on frozen pork will drop from 12 percent to eight percent from January 1.

Tariff Commission of the State Council said in a statement that the changes will optimise “the trade structure and promote the high-quality development of the economy”.

Levies will also be lowered on other foods such as fish, cheese and nuts, pharmaceuticals and a range of chemical products.