Global snacks manufacturer Mondelēz International has been fined €337.5 million by the European Commission for hindering the cross-border trade of chocolate and biscuit products between Member States.
US-based Mondelēz produces chocolate and biscuit products, with its portfolio including brands such as Milka, Oreo, Ritz, Toblerone and Cadbury.
The Commission found Mondelēz to be in breach of EU competition rules. It said it did so by:
- Engaging in “anticompetitive agreements or concerted practices” aimed at restricting cross-border trade of various chocolate, biscuit and coffee products
- “Abusing its dominant position” in certain national markets for the sale of chocolate tablets.
Mondelēz was found to have engaged in 22 anticompetitive agreements or concerted practices by reportedly limiting territories or customers to which seven wholesale customers could resell Mondelēz products and preventing 10 exclusive distributors active in certain Member States from replying to sale requests from customers located in other Member States.
Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president in charge of competition policy, said: “Prices for food differ between Member States. Trade over borders of Member States in the internal market can lower prices and increase the availability of products for consumers. This is especially important in times of high inflation.
“In the decision, we find that Mondelēz illegally limited cross-border sales across the EU. Mondelēz did so to maintain higher prices for its products to the detriment of consumers. We have therefore fined Mondelēz €337.5 million.”
