Commerce Preliminarily Finds Dumping of Citric Acid and Citrate Salts from China and Canada

Commerce preliminarily determined that Chinese and Canadian exporters have sold citric acid and citrate salts in the United States at 119.41 to 156.87 percent, and 20.88 percent below normal value, respectively.

13/11/08 The U.S. Department of Commerce announced its affirmative preliminary determinations in the antidumping investigations of citric acid and certain citrate salts from China and Canada. Commerce preliminarily determined that Chinese and Canadian exporters have sold citric acid and citrate salts in the United States at 119.41 to 156.87 percent, and 20.88 percent below normal value, respectively. Citric acid and citrate salts are used in various food and beverage products including carbonated and non-carbonated drinks, and frozen foods, as well as laundry detergents and household cleaning products.

“Ensuring the economic competitiveness of the United States is especially critical for our manufacturers,” said Assistant Secretary for Import Administration David Spooner. “The Administration will continue to aggressively enforce our antidumping laws and implement appropriate remedies based on the facts presented in each case.”

In the China investigation, mandatory respondents TTCA Co., Ltd. (a.k.a. Shandong TTCA Biochemistry Co., Ltd.) and Yixing Union Biochemical Co., Ltd. received preliminary dumping rates of 150.09 and 119.41 percent, respectively. Eleven Chinese exporters qualified for a separate rate of 134.75 percent. All other exporters will receive the China-wide rate of 156.87 percent. In the Canada investigation, mandatory respondent Jungbunzlauer Technology GMBH & Co KG, received a preliminary dumping rate of 20.88 percent. All other Canadian exporters will receive a rate of 20.88 percent.

As a result of these preliminary determinations, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise and to collect a cash deposit or bond based on these preliminary rates. Commerce is currently scheduled to issue its final determinations in April 2009.

The petitioners for these investigations are Archer Daniels Midland Company (Decatur, Ill.); Cargill, Incorporated (Minneapolis, Minn.); and Tate & Lyle Americas, Inc. (Decatur, Ill.).

Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than normal value.