Written question – Safeguarding European citric acid production against unfair competition from China – E-001942/2025

Question for written answer  E-001942/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D), Wouter Beke (PPE), Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR)

Citribel, one of the last citric acid producers in the EU, finds itself in worrying circumstances because of Chinese exporters’ dumping practices. In spite of ongoing innovation and sustainability efforts, the plant risks having to shut down. That would not only have serious social consequences, but would also lead to greater strategic dependence on third countries for a product that is essential for, inter alia, the pharmaceutical sector.

Therefore:

• 1.Can the Commission say what the state of play is with regard to the ongoing market analysis and what specific follow-up action is planned?
• 2.What is the Commission’s assessment of the risk of strategic dependence on third countries for citric acid production within a broader industrial and health strategy context?
• 3.Given the urgency, does the Commission think it possible to speed up investigative action or provide for additional support measures to safeguard European production capacity?

Submitted: 14.5.2025