AZTN Initiated Proceedings Against Grain Buyers PPK Valpovo and Žito

The Competition Protection Agency (AZTN) has initiated administrative proceedings against the grain buyers Žito and PPK Valpovo to investigate whether they imposed unfair trading practices, it was announced on Monday on the AZTN’s website.

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In the administrative procedure, it is necessary to determine whether Žito and PPK Valpovo imposed unfair trading practices in terms of the Act on Prohibition of Unfair Trading Practices in the Food Supply Chain (ZNTP) to grain suppliers, regarding publicly announced conditions for the purchase of grain that were published after April 1, 2018, the statement said.

The Agency will examine all elements related to the content of the business relationship, namely the purchase and trade of grain, AZTN officials announced, noting that due to the protection of business secrets, they cannot comment or disclose details about the ongoing proceedings.

They also emphasize that the mere initiation of proceedings ex officio by the Agency against a specific trader or buyer or processor does not necessarily mean the establishment of a violation of the Act on Prohibition of Unfair Trading Practices, but the Agency is obliged to establish all relevant facts and circumstances in the proceedings, i.e., specific evidence that confirms the indications that were the reason for initiating the proceedings.

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Based on the finally established factual state, the Agency will make a substantive decision in each specific case.

The decision concluding a specific proceeding will be fully published on its website, AZTN officials announced.