09-3-2729 Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts U.S. purchaser que

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 09-3-2729; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CITRIC ACID AND CERTAIN CITRATE SALTS FROM CANADA AND CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than February 9, 2009
See page 4 of the Instruction Booklet for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty/antidumping investigations concerning citric acid and certain citrate salts from
Canada and China (inv. No. 701-TA-456 and 731-TA-1151-1152 (Final)). The information requested in the questionnaire
is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as
directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your possession (19
U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from Amelia Preece (202-205-3250).

Name of firm
Address
State

City

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm purchased citric acid and certain citrate salts (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any source
at any time since January 1, 2006?

NO

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)

CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge
and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission.
By submitting this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout these investigations in any other import-injury investigations conducted
by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout these investigations may be used by the
Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or
maintaining the records of these investigations or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits
and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3. I understand that
all contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements.

Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Signature

Phone: (
Fax ( )

E-mail address

)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that issues of
concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful, and as limited as
possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average 25 hours per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the questionnaire. Send comments regarding the accuracy of this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the
burden, to the Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-1a.

Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your firm of preparing the
reply to this questionnaire and completing the form.
hours

dollars

I-1b.

We are interested in any comments you may have for improving this questionnaire in general or
the clarity of specific questions. Please attach such comments to your response or send them to
the above address.

I-2.

Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this questionnaire (see page 3 of the
instruction booklet for reporting guidelines). If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol.

I-3.

Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No

Firm name

Yes--List the following information

Address

Extent of
ownership

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 3

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-4.

Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which are engaged in
importing citric acid and certain citrate salts from Canada or China into the United States or
which are engaged in exporting citric acid and certain citrate salts from Canada or China to the
United States?
No
Firm name

I-5.

Yes--List the following information
Address

Affiliation

Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which are engaged in the
production of citric acid and certain citrate salts?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information
Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 4

PART II.--PURCHASES
II-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested purchase information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

II-2.

E-mail address

Report, as indicated below, your firm’s purchases (either directly or through a sales agent or
broker) of citric acid and certain citrate salts. Report based on delivery date, not order date.
Item

Purchases of product produced in the United States:
Quantity
Value
Purchases of product produced in Canada:
Quantity
Value
Purchases of product produced in China:
Quantity
Value
Purchases of product produced in all other countries:1
Quantity
Value
1
Please identify these countries:

2006

2007
(1,000 dry pounds)

2008

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 5

PART II.—PURCHASES--Continued
II-3.
Please estimate the volume (in 1,000 dry pounds) of your 2008 purchases of citric acid and
certain citrate salts used to produce products in each of the end use market segments listed below.
Report based on delivery date, not order date.

Market Segment
Food and Beverage
Soft drinks (beverage
sold as a liquid)

Estimated 2008 purchases of citric acid and certain citrate salts
(1,000 dry pounds)
Product from
Product from
Product from
Product from
nonsubject
U.S.
Canada
China
countries

Other beverages
Food
Industrial
Household detergents
and cleaners
Other industrial
Pharmaceutical
Beauty and oral
hygiene/cosmetics
Other pharmaceutical
Other (

)

Unknown

II-4.
If the relative shares of your firm’s total purchases of citric acid and certain citrate salts from
different sources (both domestic and foreign) have changed in the last three years, please list the country,
state whether the relative share from that country has increased or decreased, and state the reason.
Country

Increase/decrease

Reason

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 6

PART II.—PURCHASES--Continued
II-5.

Since January 1, 2006, did your firm purchase citric acid and certain citrate salts from only one
country?
No

Yes—Report country
Please explain why your firm purchased from only one country.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 7

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested information on market characteristics and
purchasing practices?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

III-2.

III-3.

E-mail address

Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of citric acid and certain citrate
salts (check all that apply, noting the specific end uses if known)?
Soft drink (

)

Other beverage (

)

Food (

)

Detergent and cleansers (

)

Other industrial (

)

Beauty and oral hygiene/cosmetics (

)

Other pharmaceutical (

)

Other end uses (

)

Distributor (

)

Other (

)

(a) Is your firm is a distributor or reseller of citric acid and certain citrate salts?
No

Yes-- What are the major types of end users to which you sell citric acid and
certain citrate salts?

(b) Do you compete for sales to your customers with the manufacturers or importers from which
you purchase citric acid and certain citrate salts?
No

Yes

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 8

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-4.

If your firm is an end user of citric acid and certain citrate salts, list in order of quantity of citric
acid and certain citrate salts consumed, the top 3 products for which your firm purchases citric
acid and certain citrate salts as a component part or input. Please indicate what percentage of the
total cost is accounted for by citric acid and certain citrate salts.
Product you produce

III-5.

Citric acid and certain citrate salts’ share of total
cost of producing this product (percent)

(a) If your firm is an end user of citric acid and certain citrate salts, has the demand for your
firm’s final products incorporating citric acid and certain citrate salts changed since January 1,
2006?
Increased

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

(b) Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for citric acid and certain citrate salts?
No

III-6.

Yes

(a) Can other products be substituted for citric acid and certain citrate salts?
No

Yes--Please list these substitute products in order of importance, and
the application or end use for which the substitute can be used.
Substitute
Application or end use in which the substitute
can be used

Most important
Second most important
Third most important

(b) Have changes in the prices of these substitutes affected the price for citric acid and certain
citrate salts since January 1, 2006?
No
Yes
III-7.

Are you aware whether the citric acid and certain citrate salts you are purchasing are U.S.produced or imported?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 9

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-8.

Do you know the manufacturer of the citric acid and certain citrate salts that you purchase?
Always

III-9.

Usually

Sometimes

Never

To your knowledge, are your buyers aware of and/or interested in the country of origin of the
goods you supply them?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-10. Do your purchases vary over the year, in terms of 1) quantity purchased, 2) source of product?
No neither

Yes—Quantity only

Yes—Source only

Yes—Quantity and source

If yes, please explain, including whether factors such as seasonality play a role.

III-11. Have you made significant changes in your purchasing patterns (e.g., frequency) in the last three
years?
No

Yes--Please describe how purchasing patterns changed.

III-12. How many suppliers do you generally contact before making a purchase?

III-13. Have you changed suppliers since January 1, 2006?
No

Firm name and
country

Yes--Please list the suppliers, indicate whether each firm was added or
dropped as a supplier, and give the reasons for the change.
Added/dropped

Reason for change

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-14. Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have entered the market in
the last 3 years?
No

Yes--Please list new suppliers and country of origin.

III-15. a) Do you require your suppliers to be FCC and USP certified for the citric acid and certain citrate
salts they sell to your firm?
No

Yes--

percent of purchases in 2008

Yes--all purchases

b) Do you require your suppliers to become certified or prequalified in addition to or other than
FCC and USP certification with respect to the quality, chemistry, strength, or other performance
characteristics of the citric acid and certain citrate salts they sell to your firm?
No

Yes--

percent of purchases in 2008

Yes--all purchases

c) Please describe your additional certification or qualification process.

III-16. a) Briefly describe the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality of
product, reliability of supplier, etc.).

b) Please estimate the time it takes to qualify a new supplier.

days

III-17. Since January 1, 2006, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their attempts to certify
or qualify their citric acid and certain citrate salts with your firm or have any producers lost their
approved status?
No

Firm name

Yes--Please identify these firms, the countries where they are located, and the
reasons why they failed the certification/qualification process.
Country

Reason firm failed certification/qualification

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 11

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-18. (a)

For the factors listed below, please rate each in terms of its importance in your purchase
decision for citric acid and certain citrate salts.
VERY
SOMEWHAT
NOT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
Availability .....................................
Availability in anhydrous form .......
Availability in monohydrate form ..
Availability in dihydrate form ........
Availability in solution/liquid form
Available as citric acid....................
Available as potassium citrate ........
Available as sodium citrate.............
Delivery terms.................................
Delivery time ..................................
Discounts offered ............................
Extension of credit ..........................
Price ................................................
Genetically modified inputs............
Size of the granulation ....................
Minimum quantity requirements.....
Packaging........................................
Product consistency ........................
Quality meets FCC/USP standards .
Quality exceeds FCC/USP standards
Product range ..................................
Reliability of supply........................
Technical support/service ...............
U.S. transportation costs .................
Other (specify):

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 12

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-18. (b)

Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors generally considered by
your firm in deciding from whom to purchase citric acid and certain citrate salts for any
one order (examples include current availability, extension of credit, prearranged
contracts, price, quality exceeding specifications or industry standards, range of
supplier’s product line, traditional supplier, etc.).
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Other factors or comments:

III-19. What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the quality of citric acid and
certain citrate salts?

III-20. a) How often does your firm purchase the citric acid and certain citrate salts that are offered at the
lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-21. Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the citric acid and certain citrate
salts market during 2006-08. (A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a
price change, either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more
firms that have a significant impact on prices. A price leader does not necessarily have to be the
lowest priced supplier.)

III-22. Please describe how the above firm(s) exhibited price leadership.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 13

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-23. In your opinion, at the time of your firm’s contract negotiations, how does the presence of other
sellers in the market influence the price in contract negotiations?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

The presence of U.S. producers?
No impact on price
Reduces prices

Increases prices

Not applicable

The presence of the Canadian producer?
No impact on price
Reduces prices

Increases prices

Not applicable

The presence of Chinese producers?
No impact on price
Reduces prices

Increases prices

Not applicable

The presence of Nonsubject producers?
No impact on price
Reduces prices

Increases prices

Not applicable

Please explain your answers.

III-24. In your contract negotiations for purchases of citric acid and certain citrate salts, from what
sources do you obtain pricing information?
U.S. producers

Importers of Canadian product

Importers of nonsubject product

Importers of Chinese product

Other sources (specify)

III-25. In your contract negotiations for purchases of citric acid and certain citrate salts, how many
sellers of the following types do you contact?
U.S. producers

Importers of Canadian product

Importers of Chinese product

Importers of nonsubject product

Other sources (specify)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 14

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-26. In your contract negotiations for purchases of citric acid and certain citrate salts, have you used
prices from other sources to get lower price bids?
No

Yes—Which of these sources were used?

U.S. producers

Importers of Canadian product

Importers of nonsubject product

Importers of Chinese product

Other sources (specify)

Please explain.

III-27. a) If you are a distributor and use contract purchases, have you requested price protection from
your suppliers because of competitive bids?
No--not a distributor or did not use contracts

No--did not request price protection

Yes-- What were the sources of the competitive bids?
Unknown

U.S. product

Canadian product

Chinese product

Nonsubject product
b) Was price protection granted?

Yes

No

III-28. a) From which of the following sources have you received price bids for your spot purchases?
U.S. producers

Importers of Canadian product

Importers of nonsubject product

Importers of Chinese product

Other sources (specify)

b) Which of these typically gave you the lowest bid in 2006?
U.S. product

Canadian product

Chinese product

Nonsubject product

c) Which of these typically gave you the lowest bid in 2007?
U.S. product

Canadian product

Chinese product

Nonsubject product

d) Which of these typically gave you the lowest bid in 2008?
U.S. product

Canadian product

Chinese product

Nonsubject product

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 15

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-29. a) For your purchases of citric acid and certain citrate salts since January 1, 2006, how important
of a problem was “caking” or “clumping”?
Not a problem

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

b) If “caking” or “clumping” was a problem, please explain why.

III-30. Did your firm purchase citric acid and certain citrate salts that were “caked” or “clumped” since
January 1, 2006?
No

Yes—Did you take steps to eliminate this problem?
No

Yes—If yes, what percentage did these steps add to your overall cost
for citric acid and certain citrate salts?
less than 1%

1 to 2%

2 to 5%

greater than 5%

III-31. Has your firm purchased any equipment or implemented any practices to reduce “caking” or
“clumping” of the citric acid and certain citrate salts that you purchased since January 1, 2006?
No

Yes—Please describe.

III-32. How often did your firm encounter problems with “caking” or “clumping” of citric acid and
certain citrate salts from the following countries since January 1, 2006?
Product from the United States:

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Product from Canada:

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Product from China:

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Product from other countries:

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 16

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-33. a) Does your firm mix or blend citric acid and certain citrate salts from different countries?
Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

b) Explain why (and name the countries) or why not.

III-34. Does your firm purchase citric acid and certain citrate salts together with other products as part of
a larger purchase?
No

Yes--Please list the other products

III-35. Do you purchase citric acid and certain citrate salts through a “reverse auction” type of
arrangement where suppliers offer prices to you?
No

Yes

If yes, do these “reverse auctions” happen at the same time every year?
No

Yes. Which months?

III-36. If you purchase through a “reverse auction,” do the suppliers know about each others’ bids?
No

Yes--Please describe briefly how they know.

III-37. Are the contract prices for citric acid and certain citrate salts you negotiate affected by the price
of corn futures?
No

Yes--Please describe how corn futures prices influence price negotiations.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 17

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-38. Did the spike in corn prices in 2008 reduce the availability of citric acid and certain citrate salts?
No

Yes--Did availability differ between citric acid and certain citrate salts from
the United States and from other countries?

III-39. Did the spike in corn prices in 2008 affect the price of citric acid and certain citrate salts?
No

Yes--Please describe the price changes, and if they differed between U.S.produced citric acid and certain citrate salts and product from other countries.

III-40. a) Has your firm been put on allocation, been limited in the amount of citric acid and certain
citrate salts that it can purchase, or experienced any supply disruption for citric acid and certain
citrate salts since January 1, 2006?
No

Yes--Please report the dates, the names of the firms that put you on
allocation, reasons for the allocation, and the effect on your firm.

b) Has any supplier been unable to supply some or all of your requirements because of production
disruptions, raw material shortages, or any other reason?
No

Yes--Please report the dates, the names of the suppliers, the reasons
firms were unable to supply, and the effect on your firm.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 18

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-41. What shares of your 2008 purchases of citric acid and certain citrate salts were in the following
forms?
% solution
% anhydrous form
% crystalline/granular
% monohydrate form
% other
% dihydrate form
100% total
% other
100% total
III-42. a) Did you purchase citric acid and certain citrate salts from Canada for delivery at any time
since Jan. 1, 2006?
No

Yes --If citric acid and certain citrate salts from Canada were not available
would you-Purchase less citric acid and certain citrate salts overall?

Yes

No

Purchase more product from U.S. producers?

Yes

No

Purchase more product from nonsubject countries?

Yes

No

Explain:

b) Did you purchase citric acid and certain citrate salts from China for delivery at any time
since Jan. 1, 2006?
No

Explain:

Yes--If citric acid and certain citrate salts from China were not available
would you-Purchase less citric acid and certain citrate salts overall?

Yes

No

Purchase more product from U.S. producers?

Yes

No

Purchase more product from nonsubject countries?

Yes

No

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 19

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-43. Please describe how citric acid and certain citrate salts prices are negotiated.
Spot purchases

Contracts of
less than 1
year

Contracts of 1
year or more

III-44. If you purchase on a long-term contract basis, please answer the following questions with respect
to provisions of a typical long-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet or release provision?

(e)

Was the meet or release provision used?

(f)

When are contracts negotiated?
________________________________)
(Explain why.)
______________________________________________)

months
Yes

Quantity

No
Price

Yes

Yes

Both
No

No

III-45. If you purchase on a short-term contract basis, please answer the following questions with respect
to provisions of a typical short-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

months

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

Quantity

Yes

No
Price

Both

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-45. (d)

Does the contract have a meet or release provision?

Yes

Yes

No

No

(e)

Was the meet or release provision used?

(f)

When are contracts negotiated?
________________________________)
(Explain why.)
______________________________________________)

III-46. If you purchase on a spot basis, please answer the following questions with respect to spot sales.
(a)

When do spot sales occur?
___________________________________________)
(Explain why)
______________________________________________)

(b)

How are terms set?

__________________________________________

III-47. If you purchase on a spot basis, what is the importance for your firm of the following factors on
price at the time of negotiations and how do they influence price?
a) Importance of presence of product/bids from U.S. producers
Not important

Somewhat important

Very important

b) Influence of competitive U.S. producers on price
Neutral

Downward

Upward

c) Presence of product/bids for Canadian product
Not important

Somewhat important

Very important

d) Influence of Canadian producers on price
Neutral

Downward

Upward

e) Presence of product/bids for Chinese product
Not important

Somewhat important

Very important

f) Influence of Chinese producers on price
Neutral

Downward

Upward

g) Presence of product/bids for Nonsubject country product
Not important

Somewhat important

Very important

h) Influence of Nonsubject producers on price
Neutral

Downward

Upward

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 21

PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
III-48. Do price negotiations differ between citric acid and certain citrate salts produced in the United
States and other countries?
No

Not applicable to my firm.
Yes-- U.S. and Canadian product negotiations differ.
Yes -- U.S. and Chinese product negotiations differ.
Yes-- U.S. and nonsubject product negotiations differ.

Please describe differences in negotiations between these countries.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 22

PART IV.-COMPARISONS BETWEEN IMPORTED AND U.S.- PRODUCED PRODUCTS
IV-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested information on product comparisons?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

IV-2.

E-mail address

Are citric acid in anhydrous form, monohydrate form, dihydrate form, and in solution
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)? Please indicate
below, using “A” to indicate that the different forms of citric acid are always interchangeable, “F”
to indicate that the different forms of citric acid are frequently interchangeable, “S” to indicate
that the forms of citric acid are sometimes interchangeable, “N” to indicate that the different
forms of citric acid are never interchangeable, and “0” to indicate no familiarity with the forms of
citric acid.1
Product form

Anhydrous

Monohydrate

Dihydrate

Solution

Anhydrous
Monohydrate
Dihydrate
1

For any forms of citric acid that are sometimes or never interchangeable, please explain the factors that
limit or preclude interchangeable use:

IV-3.

Please indicate the countries of origin for citric acid and certain citrate salts for which your firm
has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United States
Other countries (Please specify:

Canada

China
)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

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PART IV.-COMPARISONS BETWEEN IMPORTED AND U.S.- PRODUCED PRODUCTS -Continued
IV-4.

Are citric acid and certain citrate salts produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)? Please indicate
below, using “A” to indicate that the products from a specified country-pair are always
interchangeable, “F” to indicate that the products are frequently interchangeable, “S” to indicate
that the products are sometimes interchangeable, “N” to indicate that the products are never
interchangeable, and “0” to indicate no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair.1

Country-pair

United States

Canada

China

Other countries, specify:
________________

United States
Canada
China
1

For any country-pair producing citric acid and certain citrate salts which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 24

PART IV.-COMPARISONS BETWEEN IMPORTED AND U.S.- PRODUCED PRODUCTS -Continued
IV-5.

Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability, transportation network, product range,
technical support, etc.) between citric acid and certain citrate salts produced in the United States
and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s purchases of the products? Please
indicate below, using “A” to indicate that such differences are always significant, “F” to indicate
that such differences are frequently significant, “S” to indicate that such differences are
sometimes significant, “N” to indicate that such differences are never significant, and “0” to
indicate no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

United States

Canada

China

Other countries, specify:
________________

United States
Canada
China
1

For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s purchases of citric acid and certain citrate salts, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 25

PART IV.-COMPARISONS BETWEEN IMPORTED AND U.S.- PRODUCED PRODUCTS -Continued
IV-6.

Do you or your customers ever specifically order citric acid and certain citrate salts from one
country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

Country

IV-7.

Product

Reason this country’s product is preferred

Are certain grades/types of citric acid and certain citrate salts available from only a single source
(domestic or foreign, including both subject and nonsubject countries)?
No

IV-8.

Yes--Please identify all relevant countries (including the United States and
both subject and nonsubject countries) from which you or your customers
prefer to order, the specific product, and indicate why citric acid and
certain citrate salts from these countries is preferred over product from
other countries.

Yes--Please identify the source and the grade/type.

If you purchased citric acid and certain citrate salts from one source although a comparable
product was available from another source at a lower price, please explain your reasons for doing
so (please specify by country, including the United States and both subject and nonsubject foreign
countries). Possibilities might include transaction characteristics such as length of time to fill
orders, minimum order size, reliability of supply, etc.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 26

PART IV.-COMPARISONS BETWEEN IMPORTED AND U.S.- PRODUCED PRODUCTS -Continued
For the factors listed below, please rate how citric acid and certain citrate salts produced in each
country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV compares with citric acid
and certain citrate salts produced in each of the other countries you identified (including the
United States and both subject and nonsubject foreign countries). Please type an “X” for each
quality in each product comparison indicating whether the product from the first source is
superior, comparable, or inferior compared with the product from the second source.
Product from

Inferior

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

Inferior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
____China
Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Quality

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
___Canada

Superior

IV-9.

Availability ...............................................
Availability in anhydrous form .................
Availability in monohydrate form .............
Availability in dihydrate form ...................
Availability in solution/liquid form ............
Available as citric acid.............................
Available as potassium citrate.................
Delivery terms .........................................
Available as sodium citrate .....................
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time............................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Lower price1 ............................................
Genetically modified inputs .....................
Size of the granulation ............................
Minimum quantity requirements ..............
Packaging................................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets FCC/USP standards.........
Quality exceeds FCC/USP standards .....
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
Lower U.S. transportation costs1 .............
Other (specify):

1

A rating of Asuperior@ means that the price or transportation costs offered by firms from the first listed country are
lower than those offered by the country listed second.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 27

PART IV.-COMPARISONS BETWEEN IMPORTED AND U.S.- PRODUCED PRODUCTS -Continued
IV-10. (a)

How often do domestically produced citric acid and certain citrate salts meet minimum
quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Always

(b)

Usually

Sometimes

Never

How often do imported subject citric acid and certain citrate salts meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Canada
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Usually

Sometimes

Never

China
Always
(c)

How often do imported nonsubject citric acid and certain citrate salts meet minimum
quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
From:
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Usually

Sometimes

Never

From:
Always
From:
Always
From:
Always

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 28

PART V.—SUPPLIER IDENTIFICATION
V-1.

No.

1

2

3

4

5

Please provide the names and addresses of your firm’s five largest suppliers of citric acid and
certain citrate salts purchased during January 2006-December 2008. Please also provide the
name and telephone number of a contact person and the share of the quantity of your firm’s total
purchases of citric acid and certain citrate salts that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2008.

Supplier’s name

Street address (not P.O.
box), city, state, and zip
code

Contact person

Area
code and
telephone
number

Share of
2008
purchases
(%)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 29

PART VI.— PRICE DATA
Please answer the questions in section VI only if your firm’s U.S. purchases of citric acid and
certain citrate salts were 20 million pounds or more in 2006, 2007, or 2008.
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amelia Preece (202-205-3250,
[email protected]).
VI-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested pricing and related information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

E-mail address

PRICE DATA
This section requests quarterly quantity and value data on your firm’s purchases of the following U.S.produced and imported products from Canada and China during January 2006 to December 2008:
NOTE.- All values and quantities should be reported on a dry-weight equivalent basis. For citric
acid only, dry weight prices should be expressed on an anhydrous equivalent basis.
Product 1.—Citric acid, granular, in dry form in 25 kilogram and 50 pound bags.
Product 2.—Citric acid, granular, in dry form packed in bulk sacks (“supersacks”).
Product 3.—Citric acid, in 48 to 52 percent solution form sold in bulk.
Product 4.—Sodium citrate, granular, in dry form in 25 kilogram and 50 pound bags.
Product 5.—Potassium citrate, granular, in dry form in 25 kilogram and 50 pound bags.
Please report values on a delivered basis (net of returns, discounts, allowances, and rebates),
including all ocean freight costs and U.S.-inland freight costs for delivery to your facility.
Note:--Prices of products 1, 2, and 3 are requested separately for contract and spot sales.
Contract purchases are agreements, written or verbal, for multiple deliveries of product over a set
period of time.
Spot purchases are onetime delivery, usually made within 30 days of the purchase agreement.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 30

PART VI.— PRICE DATA--Continued
VI-2.a.

PURCHASES FROM U.S. PRODUCERS
(Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds, value in 1,000 dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Spot purchases

Product 4
Quantity
Value
All purchases

2006
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2007
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2008
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
Product 1
Quantity
Value

Product 2
Quantity Quantity
Contract purchases

Product 3
Value
Value

Product 5
Quantity
Value
All purchases

2006
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2007
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2008
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
1
Net delivered values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, including discounts on other supplied products,
promotional allowances, and transition allowances, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), delivered to your customers’ U.S. facility (i.e., do include U.S-inland transportation costs).
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your product:
Product 1:
Product 3:
Product 5:

Product 2:
Product 4:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 31

PART VI.— PRICE DATA--Continued
VI-2.b.

PURCHASES FROM IMPORTERS OF PRODUCT FROM CANADA
(Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds, value in 1,000 dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Spot purchases

Product 4
Quantity
Value
All purchases

2006
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2007
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2008
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
Product 1
Quantity
Value

Product 2
Quantity Quantity
Contract purchases

Product 3
Value
Value

Product 5
Quantity
Value
All purchases

2006
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2007
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2008
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
1
Net delivered values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, including discounts on other supplied products,
promotional allowances, and transition allowances, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), delivered to your customers’ U.S. facility (i.e., do include U.S-inland transportation costs).
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your product:
Product 1:
Product 3:
Product 5:

Product 2:
Product 4:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 32

PART VI.— PRICE DATA--Continued
VI-2.c.

PURCHASES FROM IMPORTERS OF PRODUCT FROM CHINA
(Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds, value in 1,000 dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Spot purchases

Product 4
Quantity
Value
All purchases

2006
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2007
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2008
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
Product 1
Quantity
Value

Product 2
Quantity Quantity
Contract purchases

Product 3
Value
Value

Product 5
Quantity
Value
All purchases

2006
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2007
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2008
Jan.-Mar.
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
1
Net delivered values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, including discounts on other supplied products,
promotional allowances, and transition allowances, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), delivered to your customers’ U.S. facility (i.e., do include U.S-inland transportation costs).
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your product:
Product 1:
Product 3:
Product 5:

Product 2:
Product 4:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 33

PART VI.— PRICE DATA--Continued
Section VI-3.-BID/AUCTION PURCHASES--This section requests data and information related to
your purchases of citric acid and certain citrate salts since January 2006 in which bids and/or auctions
were used. On the following pages, please report information on the price negotiation process for
your three largest purchases (based on total dollar value of purchase) since January 1, 2006.
This information is requested for both successful and unsuccessful negotiations with all suppliers
(including U.S. producers and suppliers of products from Canada, China, and nonsubject sources). Please
provide information on the seller’s initial price bid, their final price bid, the range of quantities under
negotiation, and the quantity of product sold if negotiations were successful. If any of this information is
unavailable, please provide (clearly labeled) estimates. Also, in an attachment, describe any proposed
transactions for products other than citric acid and certain citrate salts included in bids.
Report all purchase prices and quotes on a delivered basis.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 34

PART VI.— PRICE DATA--Continued
VI-3.

Please report information for bids received by your firm for your three largest purchases
(based on total dollar value of purchase) of citric acid and certain citrate salts since January
1, 2006.

Largest purchase
(Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds, value in 1,000 dollars)
Item
Supplier 1:

Supplier 2:

Supplier 3:

Supplier name
Country of origin
Product and specifications
Duration of contract
Tied to other transactions?
(please describe in an attachment)
Meet-or-release clause?
Forum (e.g., Internet auction bid)
Initial bid:
Date
Quantity
Value
Final bid:2
Date
Quantity
Value
Contract award (if won):
Date
Quantity
Value
2

Report total number of bids submitted:

Please discuss the reasons for choosing the supplier(s) of the winning bid(s):

Supplier 4:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 35

PART VI.— PRICE DATA--Continued
VI-3.

Please report information for bids received by your firm for your three largest purchases
(based on total dollar value of purchase) of citric acid and certain citrate salts since January
1, 2006.

Second-largest purchase
(Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds, value in 1,000 dollars)
Item
Supplier 1:

Supplier 2:

Supplier 3:

Supplier name
Country of origin
Product and specifications
Duration of contract
Tied to other transactions?
(please describe in an attachment)
Meet-or-release clause?
Forum (e.g., Internet auction bid)
Initial bid:
Date
Quantity
Value
Final bid:2
Date
Quantity
Value
Contract award (if won):
Date
Quantity
Value
2

Report total number of bids submitted:

Please discuss the reasons for choosing the supplier(s) of the winning bid(s):

Supplier 4:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts

Page 36

PART VI.— PRICE DATA--Continued
VI-3.

Please report information for bids received by your firm for your three largest purchases
(based on total dollar value of purchase) of citric acid and certain citrate salts since
January 1, 2006.

Third-largest purchase
(Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds, value in 1,000 dollars)
Item
Supplier 1:

Supplier 2:

Supplier 3:

Supplier name
Country of origin
Product and specifications
Duration of contract
Tied to other transactions?
(please describe in an attachment)
Meet-or-release clause?
Forum (e.g., Internet auction bid)
Initial bid:
Date
Quantity
Value
Final bid:2
Date
Quantity
Value
Contract award (if won):
Date
Quantity
Value
2

Report total number of bids submitted:

Please discuss the reasons for choosing the supplier or suppliers of the winning bid(s):

Supplier 4: