Trade Probe Examines Whether Low-Priced Imports from Italy, Poland, and the U.K. Are Hurting Canada’s Food Processing Industry.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has opened an anti-dumping investigation into certain wheat gluten imports entering the Canadian market from Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
The inquiry will examine whether these products are being sold in Canada at unfairly low prices, potentially harming domestic manufacturers and disrupting fair market competition.
The investigation was initiated following a complaint submitted by ADM Agri-Industries Co., which claims that increasing volumes of imported wheat gluten have negatively affected Canadian producers.
According to the complaint, the alleged dumping has led to lower market prices and placed pressure on domestic businesses through price undercutting, price suppression, and reduced profitability.
The company also cited impacts on inventory levels, market share, production capacity utilization, and overall sales performance.
Canada’s trade remedy process involves both the CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT). While the CBSA examines whether imported products are being dumped, the CITT assesses whether those imports are causing injury to Canadian industry.
The Tribunal has launched a preliminary inquiry and is expected to issue its determination by August 18, 2026. Meanwhile, the CBSA will continue its investigation and plans to release a preliminary decision by September 17, 2026.
Wheat gluten is a widely used ingredient in the food industry. It is commonly added to whole-grain breads, pasta products, noodles, pizza dough, and plant-based foods to improve texture and protein content. Beyond human food applications, wheat gluten is also used in animal feed, pet food products, and as a binding ingredient in processed meat products.
The complaint is supported by Permolex Ltd. of Red Deer, Alberta. Based on information submitted to the CBSA, ADM Agri-Industries Co. and Permolex Ltd. account for all wheat gluten production in Canada.
The domestic market for wheat gluten is estimated to be worth approximately $74 million annually.
Canada’s trade remedy framework, administered under the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA), is intended to protect domestic industries and jobs from unfairly traded imports.
In 2025, the CBSA initiated 33 combined dumping and subsidy investigations covering nine products.
During 2026, the agency has already launched 12 investigations involving six products. Currently, 186 special import measures remain in force across Canada, covering a broad range of consumer and industrial goods.
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