A World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitration panel has ruled that Colombia failed to comply with its trade obligations in a long-running dispute with the European Union over anti-dumping tariffs on frozen fries from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Once formally adopted, the WTO decision will require Colombia to withdraw the contested duties without delay. The panel found that Colombia acted inconsistently with WTO rules when calculating and imposing duties, siding with the EU’s argument that Colombian authorities had artificially created or inflated dumping margins through inappropriate methodologies.

The deadline for appealing the ruling has expired with neither party filing an appeal. Either side may now request that the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) adopt the compliance panel report during its 24 November 2025 meeting. Upon adoption, the report will become binding between the two parties, compelling Colombia to implement corrective measures.

Colombia first introduced anti-dumping duties on frozen fries from the EU in November 2018, covering about 85% of EU exports. Despite the EU’s objections, Colombia extended these duties until 30 September 2027 following an expiry review, leaving open the possibility of renewal.

In response to the WTO ruling, Colombia’s potato growers’ federation, Fedepapa, voiced concern about the potential market impact. “Today farmers are losing between 15 and even 20 million pesos (around $4,500 / €3,800) per hectare,” the organization said. Fedepapa noted that when the measures were first imposed in 2018, they applied to 64% of frozen precooked potatoes entering the country, compared with just 1% by the end of 2024. “Then, the total volume was 80,000 tons,” the federation added.