EU exporters have regained access to Colombia’s market for frozen fries.
Colombia has lifted all anti-dumping duties on EU frozen fries imported from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. This decision reinstates full market access for 85% of EU frozen fry exports that were previously impacted by the restrictions.
The restoration of full market access marks the definitive resolution of a six-year WTO dispute between the European Union (EU) and Colombia. This outcome highlights the effectiveness of the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), which ensures a functional dispute resolution system among participating WTO members. Notably, this is the first dispute under the MPIA to reach full compliance, a significant milestone for both the EU and Colombia.
On 11 March 2026, Colombian Resolution 108 revoked anti-dumping duties previously imposed on EU exports of frozen fries. These duties had affected exports with an annual value of approximately €19.3 million.
**Background**
The dispute began in 2018, when Colombia introduced anti-dumping duties on imports of frozen fries from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Both a WTO panel and MPIA arbitrators ruled in 2022 that these measures violated WTO anti-dumping rules. A subsequent attempt by Colombia to comply with these rulings was deemed inconsistent with WTO regulations by a compliance panel on 23 October 2025. However, Colombia’s second implementation effort, finalized recently, succeeded in lifting all duties and achieving compliance.
The MPIA was established in 2020 by the EU and other WTO members to maintain a functional dispute settlement mechanism in the absence of a working Appellate Body. Covering 60% of world trade, the MPIA has proven effective in resolving various disputes, including the EU-China conflict over intellectual property enforcement.
Current members of the MPIA include Australia; Austria; Benin; Brazil; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; the European Union (and its Member States); Guatemala; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; Japan; Liechtenstein; Macao, China; Mexico; Malaysia; Moldova; Montenegro; New Zealand; Nicaragua; Norway; Pakistan; Paraguay; Peru; the Philippines; Singapore; Switzerland; Ukraine; United Kingdom; Uruguay; and Viet Nam.
Fuente: policy.trade.ec.europa.eu
