The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of certain ammonium nitrate from Ukraine that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Stephen Koplan, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, and Commissioners Lynn M. Bragg, Marcia E. Miller, Jennifer A. Hillman, and Thelma J. Askey voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigation of imports of certain ammonium nitrate from Ukraine, with its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about March 22, 2001.

The Commission's public report Certain Ammonium Nitrate from Ukraine (Investigation No. 731-TA-894 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3374, December 2000) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after December 26, 2000, by calling 202-205- 1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description:

The imported product subject to this investigation is solid, fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), whether prilled, granular or in other solid form, with or without additives or coating, and with a bulk density equal to or greater than 53 pounds per cubic foot. Specifically excluded from this scope is solid ammonium nitrate with a bulk density less than 53 pounds per cubic foot (commonly referred to as industrial-grade or explosive-grade ammonium nitrate).

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation: Preliminary phase antidumping.
2.   Petitioner: Ad Hoc Committee for Fair Ammonium Nitrate Trade 
     (COFANT)--Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.;  El Dorado Chemical Co.;
     LaRoche Industries, Inc.; Mississippi Chemical Corp.; and
     Nitram, Inc.
3.   Investigation instituted by the USITC:  October 13, 2000.
4.   Staff conference:  November 3, 2000.
5.   USITC vote:  November 27, 2000.
6.   USITC notification of the U.S. Department of Commerce:  December 4, 2000
     (administrative deadline).


U.S. Industry during January-September 2000:

1.   Number of producers of subject ammonium nitrate:   9.
2.   Location of producers' plants:  AL, AR, FL, GA, MO, MS, NE, WA, and WY.
3.   Employment of production and related workers:  429.
4.   U.S. producers' U.S. shipments (excluding exports):  1.4 million short
     tons, valued at $174.5 million.
5.   U.S. apparent consumption:  1.8 million short tons, valued at 
     $215.4 million.
6.   Ratio of subject imports from Ukraine to U.S. apparent consumption: (1)


U.S. Imports during January-September 2000:

1.   From the subject country (Ukraine): (1)
2.   From countries not subject to investigation: (1)

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(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.