Latvia’s Competition Council Investigates Potential Cartel Among Food Retailers

The Competition Council of Latvia (KP) is investigating potential prohibited agreements between the country’s two largest food retailers, raising concerns about coordinated pricing and potential harm to consumers. The investigation, announced on February 27, 2026, centers on suspicions that the retailers may not have been acting independently.

Investigation Details

The KP suspects the retailers may have engaged in horizontal prohibited agreements, commonly known as cartels. Such agreements involve coordinating sales prices, which can negatively impact consumer interests. Violations of competition law can result in substantial fines, potentially reaching up to 10% of a company’s worldwide net turnover for the last financial year.

While the KP has not disclosed the names of the retailers involved, reports indicate that procedural actions were carried out at the retail company SIA Maxima Latvija on February 26, 2026. Maxima Latvija confirmed that Competition Council employees visited its main office in Riga.

Key Players in the Latvian Food Retail Market

According to data from 2024, the largest food retailers in Latvia are:

• SIA Rimi Latvia: Turnover of €1.126 billion
• Maxima Latvija: Turnover of €1.102 billion

Recent Actions by the Competition Council

This investigation follows a recent decision by the Competition Council in November 2025, where SIA Maxima Latvija was fined EUR 1.87 million for violations of the Unfair Trading Practices Prohibition Law (UTPPL). The fine was issued for unfair trade practices, and the company was also given legal obligations to ensure fair cooperation with suppliers.

In 2025, the Competition Council also concluded market surveillance of payment terms in the fresh fruit, vegetable, and berry supply chain, revealing that payments to suppliers were often delayed significantly – from a few days to almost 300 days – impacting their working capital. Several infringement cases against purchasers were initiated as a result.

Looking Ahead

The Competition Council has identified cartel enforcement and anticompetitive conduct in food retail as key priorities for 2026. The authority aims to conclude at least 10 high-priority infringement cases this year, focusing on serious competition law violations and breaches of competition neutrality.