2,2-Dichloroacetoacetyl chloride having the formula: ##STR1## Process for producing 2,2-dichloroacetoacetyl chloride wherein acetyl chloride is reacted by means of a Lewis acid as a catalyst with chlorine at a temperature of 30.degree. to 60.degree. C. The mole ratio of acetyl chloride to the catalyst is from 1:0.005 to 1:0.5 and the mole ratio of acetyl chloride to the chlorine is from 1:0.1 to 1:1.5. The most preferred catalysts are aluminum chloride and aluminum bromide.