Summary of the petition: Lemon juice from Brazil and South Africa | Husch Blackwell LLP

On December 29, 2021, Ventura Coastal LLC (“Ventura Coastal” or “Petitioner”) filed a petition for the imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports of lemon juice from South Africa and Brazil.

Scope of the investigation

The commodity covered by this investigation is lemon juice intended for further manufacture, with or without the addition of preservatives, sugar or other sweeteners, regardless of the level of LPG concentration (grams per liter of acid citric), brix level, brix / acid ratio, pulp content, clarity, quality, horticultural method (e.g. organic or not), processed form (e.g. frozen or not from concentrate ), the FDA standard of identity (as defined in 19 CFR § 146.114 et seq.), the size of the container in which it was packed or the method of packaging. The scope also includes lemon juice mixed with lemon juice from sources not subject to the investigation. Only the affected component of this mixed good is covered by the scope of the investigation. Mixed lemon juice is defined as two or more separate lemon juice products with different countries of origin mixed together to form a single lemon juice product, the components of which can no longer be distinguished individually.

Excluded from the scope: (1) Lemon juice at any concentration level packaged in retail size containers ready for sale to consumers, usually at a concentration level of 48 LPG; and (2) drinks such as lemonade which generally contain 20% or less lemon juice as an ingredient.

The lemon juice covered by these investigation orders is currently classified under subheadings 2009.31.4000, 2009.31.6020, 2009.31.6040, 2009.39.6020 and 2009.39.6040 of the United States Harmonized Tariff Schedule (“HTSUS “). While the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of these investigations is determinative.

The petitioners

Ventura Coastal, LLC
2325 Vista Del Mar Drive
Ventura, CA 93001
Contact: William Borgers
Telephone: +1 (805) 653-7030
Fax: +1 (805) -652-1174
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.venturacostal.com

Counsel for applicants

Barnes, Richardson & Colburn LLP
Matthew T. McGrath, Esq.
Mert E. Arkan, Esq.
David B. Sessions, Esq.
1850 rue M NO
Office 1060
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 438-0070

Named Producers / Exporters

Brazil
Louis Dreyfus Brasil SA Company
A V. Brg. Faria Lima, 1355
Jardim Paulistano, São Paulo, 01452-002
Telephone: +55 11 3039-6700
Website: https://www.ldc.com/br/fr

Eireli citrus juice
Rod. Cezário José de Castilho, Km 474.5
Itajobi, São Paulo
Telephone: +55 17 3546-9200
Website: https://www.citrusjuice.com.br

South Africa
Cape Fruit Processors Pty. Ltd.
3 New Eskdale Street
Paarl, 7646
Telephone: +27 21 863 0341
Website: https://www.capefruits.co.za

Venco Fruit Processors Pty. Ltd.
Remains of Commando Kraal 113 farm
Sunland Road (R336)
Addo, 6105
Telephone: +27 42 233 0438
Website: http://vencofruit.co.za

Named importers

For a list of the importers alleged by the Applicant, please see Annex I.

Investigation period

October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021

Estimated timeline

Event	Oldest date
Petition filed	December 29, 2021
Initiation to DOC	January 18, 2022
ITC preliminary investigation:
Questionnaires to be submitted	January 12, 2022
Request to appear at the hearing	January 17, 2022
Audience	January 19, 2022
Briefs	January 24, 2022
ITC vote	February 14, 2022
DOC’s investigation schedule:
DOC’s Preliminary Anti-Dumping Determination	June 7, 2022
DOC preliminary countervailing duty determination	March 24, 2022
DOC Final Determination of Countervailing Duty	June 7, 2022
ITC Final Survey:
ITC Final AD Determination	October 5, 2022
ITC Final Determination of Countervailing Duty	July 22, 2022

Alleged dumping margins

Brazil: 555.22%
South Africa: 128.61%

Import volume and value

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