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EU regulators fine Riberebro $5.9 million for mushroom cartel

By  |  April 6, 2016

European Union antitrust regulators handed down a 5.2-million-euro ($5.9 million) fine to Spanish canned vegetables producer Grupo Riberebro on Wednesday for taking part in a canned mushrooms cartel together with three other companies.

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    “Access to food at competitive prices is essential for European consumers. The cartel for canned mushrooms affected sales to retailers throughout Europe,” European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

    Unlike French peer Bonduelle and Dutch company Prochamp, which admitted to taking part in the cartel in 2014 in return for a 10 percent cut in the fine to 32.2 million euros, Riberebro chose to fight the EU charges.

    Dutch producer Lutece escaped a fine because it alerted the cartel to the regulator. The Commission said the cartel wanted to stabilize their market shares and stop falling prices.

    Full content: Reuters

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