28 February 2023, Budapest – The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has opened an investigation against Maspex Olympos, because the company has probably set a minimum price for its partners to sell its products. A Hungarian subsidiary of the Polish Maspex group may have breached EU competition rules with the price fixing.
The national competition authority has opened a competition supervision proceeding with a dawn raid at Maspex Olympos Kft, one of the largest Hungarian soft drinks producers, which is the Hungarian distributor of the Olympos, Kubu, Apenta, Topjoy and Nestea brands, among others.
The Hungarian subsidiary of the Polish Maspex Group came to the attention of the competition authority during a recently concluded sector inquiry, which analysed the impact of discount schemes in the drinks distribution sector and compliance with commercial regulations, including a review of some drinks contracts. The national competition authority then noticed that one of the major players was allegedly fixing minimum resale prices for its products in its contracts with its partners, thereby restricting price competition in the market. The likely restriction of competition may have infringed not only the national law but also EU competition law, given the company's market position, as it may have had an appreciable effect on trade between Member States.
Most recently, the competition authority found illegal price fixing at the resale level at the Hungarian distributors of Yamaha musical instruments and Casio products.
The opening of competition supervision procedure does not mean that the undertaking actually committed the infringement. The proceedings aim to clarify the facts and thereby prove the alleged infringement. The time limit for the proceedings is six months, which may be extended on two occasions, each time for a maximum of six months, where justified.
Official registration number of the case: VJ/50/2022.
GVH Public Service and International Section
Further information:
Bálint Horváth, Head of Communication +36 20 238 6939
Katalin Gondolovics, Spokesperson +36 30 603 1170