Lerøy again denies price collusion claims
The Lerøy Seafood Group has again rejected claims that it was involved in a salmon price-fixing conspiracy a few years ago.
The allegations go back to February 2019, when the European Commission launched an investigation relating to suspicions of anti-competitive cooperation in the market for farmed Norwegian Atlantic salmon.
The Commission pointed the finger at a number of leading companies including Mowi, SalMar, Grieg and Cermaq who have also denied any attempt to manipulate prices.
The allegations were later followed up by a group of leading British food retailers who have lodged similar price-fixing claims in the UK, which are now being considered by a Competition Tribunal. Meanwhile, last month Tesco filed its own case against the salmon producers.
However, Lerøy has told investors in its 2024 report that, with the others, it received a Statement of Objections or “SO” from the Commission, as reported in Fish Farmer last year.
The SO sets out the Commission’s preliminary assessment that the exporters, in some instances, may have exchanged commercially sensitive information in relation to spot market sale of whole Norwegian farmed salmon to the EU in the period 2011-2019.
Lerøy said: “Lerøy Seafood Group strongly rejects the Commission’s allegations. The SO is not a final decision and has been issued in accordance with the Commission’s ordinary procedures for such an investigation. The SO includes the Commission’s preliminary assessments only.
“The company has thoroughly refuted the allegations in its comments submitted to the Commission. The company has cooperated with the Commission throughout the Commission’s investigation, and will continue to work constructively with the Commission.
“It is standard practice that these investigations last several years. It is not possible at this stage to make any statement on whether the case will result in sanctions or other negative consequences for the group, or when the case will end.”
On the UK retailer move it said a group of British supermarkets has issued claims for damages against several Norwegian owned aquaculture companies, including companies in Lerøy Seafood Group.
“The company is aware that another British supermarket issued claims in February 2025. A class action lawsuit on behalf of consumers has also been issued in the UK.”
Leroy concludes: ”The Group strongly rejects the claimants’ allegations and considers such claims from customers to be baseless. In Europe, this type of claim is first and foremost relevant if the Commission adopts a decision in its ongoing investigation and the decision is upheld.”
Broadly similar claims from salmon buyers in the United States and Canada have since been settled.
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