The Turkish Competition Authority has concluded its investigation into the practices of Ferrero's Turkish subsidiary regarding the hazelnut market. The inquiry, initiated in 2022 after allegations of market dominance abuse by the Italian confectionery conglomerate, aimed to ascertain whether Ferrero and its subsidiaries breached competition protection laws across multiple market levels, including production, purchasing, shelling, and export.
The investigation was sparked by claims from local farmers accusing Ferrero, the producer of Nutella and Ferrero Rocher, of offering low purchase prices for hazelnuts and subsequently retailing its products at significantly higher margins.
Ferrero expressed its satisfaction and reiterated its pledge to maintain fair operational practices in Turkey, particularly concerning its procurement strategy for in-shell hazelnuts, which will align with or exceed the intervention reference price. The Turkish regulatory body has stated that the investigation has been resolved through commitments from Ferrero that address the competition concerns highlighted.
Source: turkishminute.com