In January, the European Commission issued a preliminary ruling stating that six Norwegian salmon producers – Mowi, SalMar, Leroy Seafood Group, Cermaq, Grieg Seafood, and Bremnes – had violated antitrust rules.
A consortium of British supermarkets has lodged claims for damages in the UK against several Norwegian-owned aquaculture companies, with Lerøy Seafood Group being among those implicated.
The move comes amidst an ongoing investigation by the European Commission into alleged anti-competitive practices within the sector.
In January, the European Commission issued a preliminary ruling stating that six Norwegian salmon producers – Mowi, SalMar, Leroy Seafood Group, Cermaq, Grieg Seafood, and Bremnes – violated antitrust rules by colluding in the sale of Atlantic salmon to the European Union.
EU Commission suspects Mowi, Cermaq, Grieg, Leroy and SalMar of violating antitrust rules
Lerøy Seafood Group, in its Q4 2024 report, has firmly dismissed these allegations from the UK retailers, characterizing the claims as unfounded and lacking any substantial basis.
The group emphasized that such allegations from customers are particularly premature and hold little ground unless the European Commission concludes its investigation with a decision against the companies, which then also needs to be sustained.
Leroy interprets these preemptive claims as a strategic measure by the supermarkets to circumvent potential limitations on claims under certain laws, according to the report.
This suggests that the supermarkets are seeking to secure their position in anticipation of possible future legal outcomes stemming from the Commission’s findings.
The European Commission ruling relates to spot market sales to the EU from 2011 to 2019. A final ruling date has not been established.
