CHINA’S ministry of commerce has announced a new anti-dumping investigation into imported methionine products from Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.

It is an important amino acid used widely in poultry rations, and plays a critical role in many cellular functions.

The enquiry launched by China concerns sales in the calendar year 2018, and will aim to determine whether the country’s domestic industry suffered as a result of possible dumping.

It is expected that the investigation will conclude by April next year.

Evonik, a major supplier of methionine, said in a statement it fully supported the investigation, adding it had four facilities producing the amino acid across the globe that supplied more than 120 countries.

It said it would “provide competent bodies with all the necessary information and data. The company will cooperate fully in the ongoing investigation, while being confident with respect to its outcome”.