| Decision 563/2013 | |
|---|---|
| File (PDF) | Decision 563/2013 |
| Date of Publication of Decision | February 15th, 2013 |
| Issue Number of Government Bulletin | |
| Relevant Market |
Production and Sale of Fresh and / or Frozen Chicken/Poultry Meat |
| Subject of the Decision |
Cartel |
| Legal Framework |
Article 1 L. 3959/2011 |
| Operative part of the Decision |
Finding of infringement |
| Complainant(s) |
Ex-officio investigation |
| Company(ies) concerned |
1. S.P.E.E. 2. TH. NITSIAKOS SA 3. APSI PINDOS 4. APS ARTAS 5. LIVADITI BROS SA 6. D. KELAIDITIS & CO LTD 7. AMBROSIADIS COUNTRY CHICKENS SA 8. AGROZOI SA 9. MAZARAKI SA 10. KOTINO SA 11. ΒΙΟΚΟΤ ΑΕ 12. SONS P. SARAMOURTSI SA 13. FRESCOT SA 14. ANGELAKIS SA |
| Summary of Decision |
The HCC found that a total of thirteen companies active in the production and distribution of poultry meat, as well as the Association of Poultry Enterprises of Greece (SPEE) violated Article 1 of the competition law (previous n.703 / 1977, current n.3959 / 2011), and Article 101 TFEU, by their involvement in illegal pricing and customers’ distribution practices and imposed significant fines. The ex-officio investigation started after market information about the simultaneous increase in the price of poultry meat products by some companies in the sector. From the data gathered, it was documented, among other things, that the companies involved agreed to jointly determine their products’ selling prices (fresh and frozen poultry meat) to downstream suppliers (ie wholesalers, supermarkets, butchers, grill-restaurants) and also pursued market segmentation practices through the distribution of customers. The cartel was implemented through regular meetings of the representatives of poultry meat producers, among others, under the auspices of their professional association, and it lasted for more than a decade (from 1996 to 2010), even though not all parties were involved throughout the whole period. The total amount of fine imposed amounts to 39,998,346 euros. |
| Judicial Means | Judicial Proceedings were initiated |
| Decisions by the Court of Appeal of Athens (Administrative Division) | DEA 221/2014, DEA 222/2014, DEA 223/2014, DEA 224/2014, DEA 237/2014, DEA 241/2014, DEA 243/2014, DEA 283/2014, DEA 284/2014, DEA 299/2014, DEA 1075/2016, DEA 1076/2016,DEA 1082/2016, DEA 1207/2016, DEA 1208/2016, DEA 1324/2016, STE 1105/2018, STE 1106/2018, STE 1107/2018, STE 1108/2018, STE 1109/2018, STE 1110/2018, STE 1111/2018, STE 1112/2018, STE 1113/2018, STE 1114/2018, STE 1115/2018 |
