Competition Commission probes more than 30 buying centres over peppers and apples prices
Authorities found possible signs of collusion and the State Inspectorate reported 873 checks and several sanctions.
The Commission for Protection of Competition has inspected more than 30 buying centres across Gevgelija, Strumica, Krivogaštani and Resen to determine whether traders coordinated the setting and reduction of purchase prices for peppers and apples.
Inspections continue amid possible evidence of collusion
“The Commission has reported that possible indications of violations have been established and the analysis continues. The Ministry of Agriculture will not interfere in its decision-making and will continue to use all legal mechanisms to protect legality and fair market relations,” said Borche Serafimovski, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy.
The State Inspectorate for Agriculture said that, up to mid-September, it carried out 873 checks of buyers and imposed measures and fines. Inspectors most frequently found purchases made without contracts with producers, unpaid obligations for purchased agricultural products, failure to respect payment deadlines, not displaying purchase price lists, lacking verified measuring instruments and operating without registration in the Buyers’ Register.
“State agricultural inspectors have imposed a total of 30 inspection measures for the identified irregularities, for which decisions were issued in the form of bans, warnings, orders and obligations. Additionally, for irregularities in purchases, state agricultural inspectors have issued 17 payment orders, of which three have been paid, and for the remaining unpaid ones misdemeanor proceedings are being conducted,” said Ivica Angelovski, director of the State Inspectorate for Agriculture.
Authorities announced that checks will continue and that appropriate steps will follow for any confirmed breaches. The minister invited farmers to submit proposals for the new draft law on regulation of markets for agricultural products, which aims to introduce clearer rules for organised purchasing.
Reporter: Tamara Markovska
Photo: press material from the event
