A PYMNTS Company

Australia: Competition Commission probing potato contracts

By  |  August 2, 2018

Following a complaint by an unnamed Tasmanian farmer, Australia’s competition watchdog is looking into contract negotiations between vegetable processor McCain Foods and growers in Victoria and Tasmania.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    As part of the investigation, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) sent out letters to potato suppliers for the company’s Victorian and Tasmanian plants in early June.

    The letters ask suppliers to provide information about their experiences during contract negotiations with the company as far back as 2010.

    The ACCC letter states it is concerned McCain may have engaged in “unconscionable conduct” during contract negotiations with growers.

    Concerns about the company’s treatment of growers were first raised back in 2012, when McCain abandoned the industry’s collective bargaining agreement and moved to start negotiations with individual growers.

    Full Content: The Advocate

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.