13-2-3097 Importer Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 13-2-3097; Expiration Date: 6/30/2014
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
LEMON JUICE FROM ARGENTINA AND MEXICO

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than March 15, 2013
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 review of the suspended investigations on lemon juice from Argentina and Mexico (Inv. Nos. 731-TA1105-1106 (Review)). 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)).

Name of firm

_________________________________________________________________

Address
City

State

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm imported lemon juice (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any country at any time since
January 1, 2007?

NO
YES

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)
(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 means of 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 this proceeding in any other import-injury investigations or reviews
conducted by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this proceeding 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 this proceeding 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

Phone:
Signature

Email address
Fax:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

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 40 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.

OMB statistics.--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.

OMB feedback.--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.

Establishments covered.--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.

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Extent of
ownership

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 3

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

I-5.

Related subject importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic
or foreign, that are engaged in importing lemon juice from Argentina and Mexico into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting lemon juice from Argentina and Mexico to the United
States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Related nonsubject importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, that are engaged in importing lemon juice from countries other than
Argentina and Mexico into the United States or that are engaged in exporting lemon juice from
countries other than Argentina and Mexico to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

I-7.

Affiliation

Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of lemon juice?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

Nature of import operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on
lemon juice. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record

Takes title to the imported product(s)

Consignee of the imported product(s)

Customs broker or freight forwarder

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 4

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-8.

Consignees.--If your firm is an importer of record of lemon juice but is not the consignee, please
list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to contact).

Firm name

I-9.

I-10.

FTZs or bonded warehouse.--Please indicate whether your firm enters lemon juice into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Foreign trade zones

No

Yes

Bonded warehouses

No

Yes

TIB.--Please indicate whether your firm imports lemon juice under the TIB (temporary
importation under bond) program.
No

I-11.

Yes

Business plan.--In Parts II and III of this questionnaire we request a copy of your company’s
business plan. Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal
documents that describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for lemon juice?
No

I-12.

Contact person and phone
number

Address

Yes–Please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.

Other investigations.--To your knowledge, have the products subject to this proceeding been the
subject of any other import relief investigations in the United States or in any other countries?
No

Yes–Please specify.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 5

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amy Sherman (202-205-3289,
amy.sherman@usitc.gov). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in
part II.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax

II-2.

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of lemon juice since January 1, 2007.
(check as many as appropriate)
office/warehouse openings ...........

office/warehouse closings ............

relocations ....................................

expansions ....................................

acquisitions...................................

consolidations...............................

prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments................
revised labor agreements ..............

other (e.g., technology) ................

(please describe)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 6

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued

II-3.

Anticipated changes in operations.--Does your firm anticipate any changes in the character of
your operations or organization (as noted above) relating to the importation of lemon juice in the
future?
No

Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this
issue.

For question II-4, if your response differs for particular suspended investigations, please indicate
and explain the particular effect of termination of specific investigations.
II-4.

Anticipated changes in operations in the event the suspended investigations are terminated.Would your firm anticipate any changes in the character of your operations or organization (as
noted above) relating to the importation of lemon juice in the future if the suspended
investigations on lemon juice from Argentina and Mexico were terminated?
No

II-5.

Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this
issue.

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of lemon juice from
Argentina or Mexico for delivery after December 31, 2012?
No

Yes--Indicate when such orders are to be delivered and the quantities
involved.
(Quantity in 1,000 gallons @ 400 GPL)

Country

Jan-Mar 2013

Apr-Jun 2013

Jul-Sep 2013

Oct-Dec 2013

Argentina
Mexico
All other sources

II-6.

Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces lemon juice in the United States,
please indicate your reasons for importing this product. If your reasons differ by source, please
elaborate.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 7

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7a.

Imports from Argentina.--Does your firm import lemon juice from Argentina?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of lemon juice imported from Argentina by your firm during the
specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

ARGENTINA
Quantity (1,000 gallons @ 400 GPL) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value1 (G)
Export shipments:2
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories (quantity)
(J)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors
(quantity) (K)
U.S. shipments to
remanufacturers and packagers
(quantity) (L)
U.S. shipments to food processors
(including nonjuice drink and fruit
drink producers) (quantity) (M)
U.S. shipments to other end users
(quantity) (N)
1

Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide
value data using that basis for each period identified above:
2

Identify your principal export markets:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 8

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7b.

Imports from Mexico.--Does your firm import lemon juice from Mexico?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of lemon juice imported from Mexico by your firm during the
specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

MEXICO
Quantity (1,000 gallons @ 400 GPL) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value1 (G)
Export shipments:2
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories (quantity)
(J)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors
(quantity) (K)
U.S. shipments to
remanufacturers and packagers
(quantity) (L)
U.S. shipments to food processors
(including nonjuice drink and fruit
drink producers) (quantity) (M)
U.S. shipments to other end users
(quantity) (N)
1

Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide
value data using that basis for each period identified above:
2

Identify your principal export markets:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 9

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7c.

Imports from ALL OTHER SOURCES.--Does your firm import lemon juice from countries
other than Argentina or Mexico?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of lemon juice imported from countries other than Argentina or
Mexico by your firm during the specified periods. (See definitions
in the instruction booklet.)

COUNTRY(IES):
Quantity (1,000 gallons @ 400 GPL) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value1 (G)
Export shipments:2
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories (quantity)
(J)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors
(quantity) (K)
U.S. shipments to
remanufacturers and packagers
(quantity) (L)
U.S. shipments to food processors
(including nonjuice drink and fruit
drink producers) (quantity) (M)
U.S. shipments to other end users
(quantity) (N)
1

Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide
value data using that basis for each period identified above:
2

Identify your principal export markets:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 10

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-8.

Reconciliation of import data.-(a)

Please note that the quantities reported in question II-7 should reconcile as follows in
each period (i.e., in each column):
Reconciliation
A+B–D–F–H=J
D+F=K+L+M+N

(b)

Do these data reconcile?
explain:
Do these data reconcile?
explain:

Yes

No--(Please
)

Yes

No--( Please
)

Please note that the quantities reported for end-of-period inventories should equal the
beginning-of-period inventories reported in the subsequent calendar year (i.e., line J of
year 2007 should equal line A of year 2008). Do these data reconcile for each adjacent
calendar year?
Yes.

No--Please explain.

For questions II-9 and II-10, if your response differs for particular suspended investigations, please
indicate and explain the particular effect of imposition and/or termination of specific suspended
investigations.
II-9.

Effect of suspended investigations.--Describe the significance of the existing suspended
investigations on lemon juice from Argentina and Mexico in terms of its effect on your firm’s
imports, U.S. shipments of imports, and inventories. You may wish to compare your firm’s
operations before and after investigations were suspended.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 11

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-10.

Likely effect of termination of suspended investigations.--Would your firm anticipate any
changes in its imports, U.S. shipments of imports, or inventories of lemon juice in the future if the
suspended investigations on lemon juice from Argentina and Mexico were to be terminated?
No

Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation for any trends or
projections you may provide.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 12

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amelia Preece (202-205-3250,
amelia.preece@usitc.gov).
Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax

PRICE DATA
III-1.

This question requests quarterly price and quantity data, f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment, for
your commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers since 2007 of the following products you
imported from Argentina and Mexico:
Product 1.—Cloudy frozen concentrated lemon juice, non-organic, for further manufacture1
Product 2.-- Clarified frozen concentrated lemon juice, non-organic, for further manufacture1
Product 3.-- Cloudy NFCLJ, non-organic, for further manufacture2

1
2

For concentrated lemon juice, report data on a 400 grams per liter of anhydrous citric acid (GPL) basis.
For not-from-concentrate lemon juice, report data on a single strength juice equivalent (SSE) basis.

Please note that total dollar values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include
U.S.-inland transportation costs. Total dollar values should reflect the final net amount paid to you
(i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See instruction booklet.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 13

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-1 a. Price data (Argentina).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from Argentina and sold by your firm.

Argentina
(Quantity in gallons @ 400 GPL value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2007:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2008:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2009:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2010:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2011:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2012:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of
returned goods), f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 14

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-1 b. Price data (Mexico ).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from Mexico and sold by your firm.

Mexico
(Quantity in gallons @ 400 GPL value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2007:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2008:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2009:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2010:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2011:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2012:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of
returned goods), f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 15

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of lemon juice
(check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction

III-3.

If other, describe

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms for lemon juice.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its imported lemon juice?
Net 30 days

(b)

Net 60 days

2/10 net 30 days

Other (specify)

On what basis are your prices of imported lemon juice usually quoted? (check one)
Delivered

III-5.

Other

Discount policy.-- Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that
apply).

Quantity
discounts

III-4.

Contracts

Set
price
lists

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its imported lemon
juice from Argentina and Mexico in 2012 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) short-term
contract basis, and (3) spot sales basis?
Share of
2012 sales

Type of sale
Long-term contracts (multiple deliveries for more
than 12 months)

%

Short-term contracts (multiple deliveries up to and
including 12 months)

%

Spot sales (for a single delivery)

%

Total

100

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 16

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-6.

Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table with respect to provisions of your typical sales
contracts for lemon juice from Argentina and Mexico (or check “not applicable” if your firm does
not sell on a long term and/or short term contract basis).

Typical sales contract
provisions

Item

Average contract duration

Number of days

Price renegotiation (during the
contract period)

Yes

Short term contracts

Long term contracts

(multiple deliveries up to
and including 12 months)

(multiple deliveries for more
than 12 months)

No
Quantity

Fixed quantity and/or price

Price
Both

Meet or release provision

Yes
No

Not applicable

III-7.

Lead times.--What is the average lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery
for your firm’s sales of lemon juice imported from Argentina and Mexico?
Argentina
Share of 2012
Lead time
sales
(days)

Mexico
Share of 2012
Lead time
sales
(days)

From your U.S. inventory

%

%

From foreign
manufacturers’ inventory

%

%

Produced to order

%

%

Source

Total

100 %

100 %

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 17

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-8.

Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of lemon juice imported
from Argentina and Mexico that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
%

(b)

Who generally arranges the transportation to your customers’ locations? (check one)
your firm
purchaser (check one)

(c)

When you sell lemon juice imported from Argentina and Mexico, from where is it
shipped?
point of importation
storage facility
(check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your sales of lemon juice imported from
Argentina and Mexico that are delivered the following distances from your U.S. point of
shipment.
Distance from your U.S. point of shipment
Within 100 miles

%

101 to 1,000 miles

%

Over 1,000 miles

%
Total

III-9.

Share

100

%

Geographical shipments.-- What is the geographic market area in the United States served by
your firm’s shipments of lemon juice imported from any source? (check all that apply)
Geographic area
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed, including AK, HI,
PR, and VI, among others.

√ if applicable

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 18

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-10. End uses.--List the end uses of the lemon juice that you import from Argentina and Mexico. For
each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by lemon juice and other
inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
End use product

Lemon juice (percent)

Other inputs (percent)

Total

%

%

100%

%

%

100%

%

%

100%

III-11. Changes in end uses.-- Have there been any changes in the end uses of lemon juice since 2007?
Do you anticipate any future changes?
Changes in end
uses

No

Yes

Explain

Changes since
2007
Anticipated
changes

III-12. Substitutes.-- Can other products be substituted for lemon juice?
No

Substitute
1. Fresh lemons
2. Lemon oil
3. Citric acid
4. Other juices
5.
6.

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the prices of this substitute
affected the price for lemon juice?
No Yes

Explanation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 19

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-13. Changes in substitutes.-- Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that
can be substituted for lemon juice since 2007? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Changes in
substitutes

No Yes

Explain

Changes since
2007
Anticipated
changes

III-14. Organic vs non-organic.—Does organic lemon juice differ from non-organic lemon juice?
No

Yes

Explain

III-15. Demand for fresh lemons.—How does demand for fresh lemons influence the supply of lemon
juice, if known?

III-16. Demand for lemon oil trends.-- Indicate how demand for lemon oil within the United States and
outside of the United States changed since January 1, 2007

Market

No
Increase change Decrease Fluctuate

Do not
know

Demand since 2007
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States

Factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 20

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-17. Demand for lemon oil impact.—How does demand for lemon oil influence the supply of lemon
juice, if known?

III-18. Cost of lemon disposal.—How does the costs of disposal of lemons influence the supply of
lemon juice, if known?

III-19. Supply factors.—In addition to changes in demand, what supply factors have affected apparent
consumption (total U.S. markets shipments from all sources) of lemon juice within the United
States since January 2007 (check all that apply)?
Very
important
Argentine lemon crop ......................
Mexican lemon crop ........................
U.S. lemon crop ..............................
Disease ...........................................
Nonsubject imports of lemon juice ..
Packaging .......................................
Subject imports of lemon juice ........
U.S. inventories of lemon juice .......
Weather ...........................................
Loss of lemon grove acreage in
Argentina .........................................
Loss of lemon grove acreage in
Mexico .............................................
Loss of lemon grove acreage in the
United States...................................
Increased imports of lemon juice
rather than fresh lemons .................
Other (specify):
........

Somewhat
important

Not
Important

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 21

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-20. Supply factors degree.—Please discuss the degree to which demand and each of these supply
factors had an effect on apparent consumption in the U.S. market and price and shipment of U.S.
produced lemon juice.

III-21. Refused supply.—Has any supplier refused to sell or been unable to sell you lemon juice at any
time since January 2007?
No

Yes—If yes, how has the lack of adequate supply of lemon juice changed the
volume of juice purchased?

III-22. Co-mingle/ blend.-- Do you co-mingle/blend lemon juice?
Changes in substitutes

No Yes

Explain why

Organic with non-organic

Imported with U.S. grown
Juice that has been in
storage for close to 2 years
with fresher juice
Is there any end use for
which U.S. lemon juice
must be blended with juice
from Argentina or Mexico?

III-23 Share processed.--Provide shares of lemons (by weight) that were processed for each year.
2007
Share processed
Share to fresh market
Total

%
%
100 %

2008
%
%
100 %

2009
%
%
100 %

2010
%
%
100 %

2011
%
%
100 %

2012
%
%
100 %

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 22

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-24. Raw materials.--Discuss any anticipated changes in your raw material costs.

III-25. Changes in factors affecting supply.--Have any changes occurred in any other factors affecting
supply (e.g., changes in availability or prices of energy or labor; transportation conditions;
production capacity and/or methods of production; technology; export markets; or alternative
production opportunities) that affected the availability of U.S.-produced lemon juice in the U.S.
market since 2007?
No

Yes--Please provide details.

III-26. Availability of “subject” import supply.-(a)

Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the availability of lemon juice imported from
Argentina and Mexico in the U.S. market?
Increase

(b)

No change

Decrease

If you anticipate changes in supply, please identify the changes, and why you anticipate
these changes in supply.

III-27. Availability of “nonsubject” import supply.--Has the availability of NONSUBJECT lemon
juice (i.e., lemon juice imported from countries other than Argentina and Mexico) changed since
2007?
No

Yes--Please explain.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 23

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-28. Export constraints.--Describe how easily your firm can shift its sales of lemon juice between the
U.S. market and alternative country markets. In your discussion, please describe any contracts,
other sales arrangements, or other constraints that would prevent or retard your firm from shifting
lemon juice between the U.S. and alternative country markets within a 12-month period.

III-29. Product changes.-- Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of lemon juice since 2007? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Changes in
product range,
product mix, or
marketing
No Yes

Explain

Changes since
2007
Anticipated
changes

III-30. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States
(if known) for lemon juice has changed since January 1, 2007, and how you anticipate demand
will change in the future. Describe the principal factors that have affected, and that you anticipate
will affect, these changes in demand.

Market

No
Increase change Decrease Fluctuate
Demand since 2007

Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States
Anticipated future demand
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States

Factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 24

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued

III-31. Conditions of competition.-(a) Is the lemon juice market subject to business cycles or conditions of competition (including
seasonal business) distinctive to lemon juice?
No (skip to question III-31.)

Yes-- Please describe and then answer part (b).

(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
lemon juice since January 1, 2007?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

III-32. Price comparisons.--Please compare market prices of lemon juice in U.S. and non-U.S. markets.
Provide information as to time periods and regions for any price comparisons.

III-33. Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys, etc.
that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss lemon juice supply (including
production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2) each of the
other major producing/consuming countries, including Argentina and Mexico, and (3) the world
as a whole. Of particular interest is such data from 2007 to the present and forecasts for the
future.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 25

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-34. Interchangeability by country-pair.--Is lemon juice produced in the United States and in other
countries interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

Argentina

Mexico

Other countries

United States
Argentina
Mexico

For any country-pair producing lemon juice that is sometimes or never interchangeable, please
explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Lemon Juice

Page 26

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-35. Differences other than price by country-pair.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality,
availability, transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between lemon juice
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the
products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

Argentina

Mexico

Other countries

United States
Argentina
Mexico

For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s sales of lemon juice, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors: