The four largest players in the agrochemicals market were fined for cartel agreement in the amount of 91 million lei.
The Competition Council eliminated the largest cartel collusion and applied the largest fine in the history of the institution, and possibly the largest administrative fine in Moldova. The Competition Council plenum fined Agrostoc, Diazchim, Bioprotect and Fertilitatea-Chisinău companies in the total amount of 91 million 034 thousand lei for participating in tough horizontal cartel agreements. In particular, the companies acted in concert when setting prices and other trading conditions when selling to third parties plant protection products and fertilizers under the Bayer and Belchim brands in Moldova. In addition, during the investigation, the Competition Council found that prices for similar goods sold in Romania and Ukraine are 28-43% lower than in Moldova. Higher prices lead to higher costs for domestic agricultural products, which become less competitive in foreign markets. According to the Competition Council's estimates, the amount of damage caused to consumers as a result of this cartel conspiracy is estimated at about 190 million lei. At the same time, as a result of concerted actions, the assets and turnover of 4 companies have doubled over the past 5 years. According to the decision of the Competition Council, Agrostoc was fined in the amount of 32.58 million lei, Diazchim - 28.22 million lei, Bioprotect - 22.69 million lei, Fertilitatea-Chisinau - 7.53 million lei. Herewith, the Competition Council draws the public's attention that some of the companies involved in this investigation are exerting "unprecedented pressure on the Competition Council through libelous accusations directed at the country's leadership and law enforcement agencies", and also threaten that "if an unfavorable solutions will not save financial resources to discredit the Competition Council in Media”. In this context, the Competition Council condemns unjustified attacks on the institution and reaffirms its commitment to the targeted implementation of the tasks established by law, within its competence and in accordance with existing international best practice. // 02.04.2021— InfoMarket
