Ruffled feathers: Settlement reached with poultry producer
The Competition Commission has reached a settlement agreement
with Astral Operations relating to contraventions of the
Competition Act. In terms of the settlement, Astral admitted to
price fixing and abuses of dominance in terms of its poultry
operations in the Western Cape, and has agreed to pay an
administrative penalty of approximately
ZAR 16.7 million.
The settlement with Astral forms part of the Commission's
prioritisation of staple foods, including poultry, which is the
primary nutrition product for low income consumers. The subject of
the settlement comprises one of five complaints investigated by the
Commission.
The administrative penalty imposed on Astral amounts to three per
cent (3 %) of Astral's fresh poultry revenue in the Western
Cape during its 2008 financial year. The penalty relates to a joint
venture established by Astral and Elite, which was dominant in the
market for the supply of fresh poultry. The penalty was levied for
an abuse of dominance by the joint venture, which had the effect of
undermining other firms' ability to compete.
Source
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