Brussels, 12/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 12 October, the European Commission concluded that the Chiquita and Pacific Fruit groups (two of the biggest exporters and sellers of bananas to the EU) operated a price fixing cartel in southern Europe from July 2004 to April 2005, in violation of the EU antitrust rules banning cartels and restrictive business practices. For this infringement of EU law, the Commission imposed a fine of €8,919,000 on Pacific Fruit. Chiquita received immunity from fines for providing the Commission with information about the cartel.
During the period July 2004-April 2005 they fixed weekly sales prices and exchanged price information in relation to their respective brands. By doing so, the Commission asserts that they, “directly harmed consumers in the countries concerned”. At the time of the infringement, annual banana sales in Italy, Greece and Portugal together amounted to an estimated €525 million. Following the parties' replies to the statement of objections, sent in December 2009, the Commission reduced the proven duration of the infringement by around 9 months. (OL/trans/fl)