Investigations into Chinese pea protein imports

Summary#

The Canada Border Services Agency started investigations on April 22, 2024 into whether certain high‑protein pea protein from China has been dumped or subsidized, and whether that has injured Canadian industry under the Special Import Measures Act. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has opened a related preliminary injury inquiry, and it will decide quickly whether the evidence suggests injury. The CITT also began a separate procurement inquiry after a complaint about an Royal Canadian Mounted Police contract.

What it does#

• The Canada Border Services Agency opened anti‑dumping and countervail investigations on April 22, 2024 into certain pea protein from China. The notices list the tariff numbers 3504.00.90.00 and 2106.10.00.00, but say those codes are not a perfect match for the product and others may apply.
• The CBSA invited written submissions from interested parties. To be considered, submissions should reach the CBSA by August 29, 2024. The agency will publish a Statement of Reasons within 15 days after its decision on whether to proceed.
• The Canadian International Trade Tribunal opened preliminary injury inquiry PI-2024-001 to decide whether the alleged dumping/subsidizing has caused injury. The inquiry focuses on high‑protein pea protein with at least 65 percent protein by dry weight (using a Jones factor of 6.25), excluding texturized forms and pea protein already blended into finished products in a way that changes its original properties.
• The Tribunal’s inquiry is by written submissions only. Key procedural dates include filing participation and representation forms by May 6, 2024, submissions by parties opposed to the complaint by May 22, 2024 (noon ET), and response submissions by complainants by May 28, 2024 (noon ET).
• Separately, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal decided on April 18, 2024 to hold an inquiry into a procurement complaint from eVision Inc. and SoftSim Technologies Inc. (joint venture, “SoftSim”) about a rejected bid on an RCMP solicitation for informatics services linked to the GCdocs project.

Who's affected#

• Canadian pea‑protein processors and manufacturers who compete with imports from China.
• Importers, distributors and food companies that buy or use high‑protein pea protein (especially concentrates of 65 percent protein or more).
• Exporters and traders in China who export pea protein to Canada.
• Businesses that import under the listed tariff codes; the notice says those codes may include non‑subject goods and that subject goods may appear under other codes, so some uncertainty exists about exactly which shipments are covered.
• Parties interested in the RCMP contract, including eVision Inc., SoftSim Technologies Inc., other bidders, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Why it matters#

• If the CBSA and CITT find dumping or subsidizing and injury, Canada could impose duties or other measures on the imported pea protein. That can raise costs for Canadian food manufacturers that use the ingredient and could change supply chains.
• Domestic pea‑protein producers could gain protection from lower‑priced imports, which could affect jobs and investment in that sector.
• Importers and exporters should expect increased paperwork, the risk of duties, and uncertainty for shipments while the investigations proceed.
• The procurement inquiry could affect who wins the RCMP contract and might change how the department handles bid evaluations in future procurements.
• These are investigations and inquiries, not final decisions. Outcomes depend on the evidence and the Tribunal’s findings. If anything in the source is unclear, the notices point readers to the CBSA and Tribunal websites for full product definitions and schedules.