Antitrust Investigations Ordered for Mass Consumer Product Markets
Resolution No. 68/2022, issued by the Secretary of Trade, published in the Official Gazette on November 1, 2022, ordered the National Antitrust Commission to initiate investigations for alleged anticompetitive behaviors of companies related to the production and commercialization of mass consumer products that have raised their prices during 2022, on the grounds of an alleged abuse of their dominant position.
The ST issued Resolution No. 68/2022 within the framework of public policies implemented by the Argentine Government, aimed at strengthening the economy and gradually lowering inflation. The resolution follows Report No. IF-2022-116687804-APN-SSPMIN#MEC, issued by the Undersecretary of Policies for the Domestic Market within the ST, which identified alleged price rises above the general inflation and other variables affecting production costs during 2022.
Since in certain cases the markets involved may be related to the production and commercialization of food, the ST stated that the harm to the general economic interest is evident, considering the production of these goods is mostly national, made with local raw materials and with enough natural and infrastructural conditions to provide food at reasonable prices, considering the general variables of the Argentinian economy.
Resolution No. 68/2022 established that the Commission must send a report to the ST detailing the progress of the investigations within 30 days from its issuance.
This insight is a brief comment on legal news in Argentina; it does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis or to provide legal advice.