Thursday, April 16, 2026

Headlines

competition law

Law enforcement will be allowed to eavesdrop on cartel organizers

The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee has supported at first reading amendments to the Operational Activities Law, which clarify the procedure for using and transferring information obtained in the course of operational activities in other proceedings. These will ensure a more effective fight against cartels, as well as expand opportunities to uncover other crimes. The amendments were prepared in response to a Supreme Court Senate judgment in the so‑called construction companies cartel case, in which it was concluded that […]

Maxima and Rimi suspected of a prohibited agreement

The Competition Council has identified indications of a prohibited agreement between the two largest food retail companies, which have apparently not acted independently and have mutually coordinated the sales prices of goods, negatively affecting consumer interests, the council reports. The Competition Council does not name the retailers, but the term “the two largest food retail companies” leaves not the slightest doubt that Maxima is under suspicion […]

The power of retailers over suppliers is decreasing

The Saeima’s Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee has put forward amendments to the Unfair Commercial Practices Prohibition Law. The Committee intends to prohibit retailers from unilaterally imposing sanctions on suppliers and to stipulate that the payment term for fresh vegetables and eggs must not exceed 20 days. The law amendments were drafted after the Competition Council, in relation to the Unfair Commercial Practices Prohibition Law […]

CC: In the Construction Cartel case, the Supreme Court unjustifiably restricts cooperation between law enforcement authorities

The judgment of the Supreme Court Senate’s Department of Administrative Cases in the construction cartel case has raised significant issues regarding cooperation between law‑enforcement institutions, the transfer of lawfully obtained evidence for the detection of cartel agreements, and the effective application of competition law, the Competition Council states. Respecting the Senate’s decision, the Competition Council (CC) emphasizes that in its judgment the Senate did not assess the existence of the prohibited cartel agreement on the merits and did not analyze that without […]

The financial burden is being shifted by buyers of vegetables, fruits and berries onto the suppliers

The Competition Council (KP) has completed market supervision regarding the practice of applying payment deadlines in the supply chain of fresh fruit, vegetables and berries in Latvia, concluding that buyers use their economic market power and apply unjustifiably long payment deadlines, shifting the financial burden onto suppliers. Several infringement cases have been initiated. The main objective of the market supervision was to carry out an in-depth analysis of the practice of applying payment deadlines in the trade of perishable […]

ERGO acquires Gjensidige in the Baltics

ERGO International AG, which manages the ERGO Group’s international business portfolio, completed the acquisition of the non-life insurer ADB Gjensidige in the Baltic states on January 2. The full merger of the two insurers in the Baltics will take place gradually over the course of this year and is planned to be completed by the end of 2026. All existing insurance contracts with ADB Gjensidige customers will remain in force, and their coverage will not change. Customers will not have to […]

The penalty imposed on Maxima has not yet disciplined the other retailers

The fine imposed by the Competition Council on the retailer Maxima Latvija for unfair practices has so far not affected retailers’ attitudes toward food product suppliers. This has been observed by the association Farmers’ Saeima, which had also not expected rapid changes in the relationship between suppliers and retail chains. “Maxima is not the only retail chain, and the fact that the fine was imposed on Maxima does not mean there is only one guilty party, […]

The Competition Council has imposed a 1.8 million euro fine on Maxima

The Competition Council has imposed a fine of 1.8 million euros on one of the largest food retail companies – Maxima Latvia – for unfair trading practices. The company will appeal this decision in court. “Maxima Latvia today received the decision of the Competition Council, in which the company is accused of, in certain cases, not agreeing to the commercial terms offered by suppliers. Maxima Latvia categorically disagrees with the interpretation of the Competition Council. Latvian legislation […]

The Competition Council imposes a fine of 1.8 million euros on a retailer – it is reportedly not RIMI

The Competition Council has imposed a fine of 1.8 million euros on one of the largest food retail companies for unfair trading practices. It is said not to be RIMI. For now, the CC is not providing more detailed information; this will be done at the press conference scheduled for Thursday, 6 November. RIMI public relations representative Inga Bite, in a conversation with Inc., denied that the fine had been imposed on this retail chain. Meanwhile, with Maxima’s public […]

Cēsis beer is not yet allowed to take over Valmiermuiža beer – the opinion of the sector is being asked

The Competition Council, after a month-long investigation, has decided not yet to allow Cēsu alus to take over Valmiermuiža alus. To make a decision, the Council still needs the views of HoReCa sector representatives. The Competition Council invites HoReCa sector participants and other interested parties to express their opinion on the impact of the merger on competition. Market participants or other interested parties who wish to provide their opinion on the impact of the planned merger on […]