AZTN investigates Agro Neretva for possible irregularities

The Competition Protection Agency (AZTN) has initiated an administrative procedure against Agro Neretva to determine whether it, as a buyer, has exploited significant negotiating power by imposing unfair trading practices on its mandarin suppliers, the Agency announced on its website.

AZTN initiated the procedure ex officio, as during the examination of compliance of retail buyer-trader operations with the provisions of the Law on Prohibition of Unfair Trading Practices in the Food Supply Chain (ZNTP), among which is Agro Neretva, indications were found that this buyer acted contrary to the provisions of the ZNTP in its operations.

AZTN will, as stated, examine all elements related to the content and realization of the business relationships of Agro Neretva with its mandarin suppliers and will only make a substantive decision after fully establishing the factual situation.

AZTN notes that the mere initiation of an administrative procedure does not necessarily mean the establishment of a violation of the ZNTP, but this must be determined in the administrative procedure. Upon completion of the procedure, AZTN will publish its substantive decision on its website.

The company Agro Neretva was founded in 2012 and is based in Opuzena. The company emerged from the expansion of family production. From a small family farm, they have become the largest producers of watermelons, mandarins, strawberries, and brassicas in Croatia. They purchase fruits and vegetables from other producers across Croatia. The produced and purchased fresh fruits and vegetables are distributed to domestic and foreign large retail chains.

They export their products to Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Russia, and the United Kingdom. They have 50 permanent employees and up to 150 seasonal workers, as stated on the company’s website.