The European Commission has decided on Friday 27 September to impose a total fine of €31,647,000 on Coroos (€13,647,000) and the Cecab group (€18,000,000) for violating EU rules on anti-competitive practices. By disclosing the existence of the cartel, Bonduelle avoided a fine of €250 million.
Bonduelle, Coroos and the Cecab group have been involved for more than 13 years in a cartel for the supply of certain types of canned vegetables to retailers and/or food service companies in the European Economic Area (EEA).
The three companies acknowledged their participation in the agreement and agreed to settle the case.
The infringement covered the whole of the EEA and lasted from 19 January 2000 to 11 June 2013 for Bonduelle and from 19 January 2000 to 1 October 2013 for Coroos and Cecab. The Commission's investigation revealed a single infringement consisting of three separate agreements.
In the context of the same investigation, the Commission initiated proceedings against a fourth company, Conserve Italia (which is not covered by this settlement decision).
This is the second cartel case concerning canned food, after the one on mushrooms (see EUROPE 11108/19, 11526/21). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)