Suspicions of a "potato cartel"

The market of potato is suspected of having organized a "cartel".

An investigation is initiated on a "potato cartel" in Germany. The competition authorities survey across the country on an illegal agreement of the price of potatoes. According to the newspaper "Süddeutsche Zeitung" this system would work for years, set up by a few companies, it would extend to 80-90% of the wholesale sector.

These operators would be heard on the selling price to supermarkets. The various offers are deviated by just a few cents compared to a price fixed in advance. This agreement helped generate additional margins per ton sold.

According to German press the fraud amounts to millions of euros. The investigators visited a dozen companies seeking evidence.

source: les echos fr, channel new asia com