China Raises Import Duty of New Zealand Raw Milk

China imposed import duties on raw milk from New Zealand, reports Beijing Business Today. Raw milk imported from New Zealand within the past three months exceeded the annual quota on concerns that the import price would soar significantly.

According to regulations, authorities can implement the measures when imports of certain agricultural products exceed quotas. Although imports usually outpace quotas every year, the pattern came early this year. Last year, New Zealand suffered droughts that reduced raw material production, the source noted.

According to analyst at Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultant, the new import duties of up to 15percent might be enough to encourage domestic dairy firms to rely less on imported raw milk.