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Food supply

Competition Agency Suspends Proceedings Against ZITAR Doo Amid Unfair Trading Practices Investigation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Agency for the Protection of Market Competition (AZTN) in Zagreb, Croatia, has suspended administrative proceedings initiated against ZITAR doo, a company accused of using significant negotiating power to impose unfair trading practices on its suppliers in the wheat market. The investigation, launched in November 2024, aimed to determine whether ZITAR doo's business practices complied with the provisions of the Act on the Prohibition of Unfair Trading Practices in the Food Supply Chain (ZNTP). The suspension of proceedings was made after AZTN concluded that the initial indication of unfair trade practices had been removed, and the company did not act contrary to the ZNTP provisions.

Key Takeaways:

  • ZITAR doo was accused of using significant negotiating power to impose unfair trading practices on its wheat suppliers.
  • The investigation was initiated ex officio by AZTN on November 11, 2024, to determine whether ZITAR doo complied with the provisions of the ZNTP.
  • AZTN established the factual situation through evidence collection and individual evaluation of each piece of evidence, acting in accordance with the principle of free evaluation of evidence.
  • The investigation found that ZITAR doo did not act contrary to the provisions of the ZNTP in relation to its suppliers, leading to the suspension of the administrative proceedings.
  • The AZTN will continue to monitor the compliance of buyers and suppliers in the food supply chain with the provisions of the Food Safety Act to prevent and sanction unfair trading practices.
  • The suspension of proceedings suggests that ZITAR doo's business practices may have been compliant with the ZNTP provisions, but the exact details of the investigation remain unclear.

Statistics:

  • 11 November 2024: The date AZTN initiated the administrative proceedings against ZITAR doo.
  • 2023: The year in which AZTN examined the compliance of ZITAR doo's operations with the provisions of the ZNTP.
  • Article 4, paragraph 2, point 1 of the ZNTP: The provision allegedly breached by ZITAR doo.
  • Article 6, paragraph 1 of the ZNTP: The provision that allows for a way of doing business without a written contract under exceptional circumstances.

Sources:

  • AZTN (Agency for the Protection of Market Competition), official news release, Zagreb, Croatia

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