The Competition Authority values the role of the media in informing the public and consistently contributes with transparency to matters related to the functioning of markets and the protection of fair competition. Following several recent publications concerning the decisions of the Competition Commission in the fruit and vegetable collection market, we wish to clarify some important factual and procedural elements.
Subject of the in-depth investigation concluded on 26.11.2025
At its meeting of 26.11.2025, the Competition Commission adopted Decisions No. 1234–1239, by which it found that a group of collecting undertakings – Omer Fruit SHPK, Nedrete Arapi PF, Besim Thaqi PF, Morina Grup SHPK, Fruit-To-Zela SHPK, and Roland-2012 SHPK – had coordinated their conduct during seasonal periods by dictating prices to the detriment of producer farmers and by applying high profit margins (mark-ups) of up to 115%.
The subject of this investigation, which was primarily triggered by complaints from local farmers, was the “collection and wholesale of fruit and vegetables”, and consequently the undertakings subject to the investigation were those engaged in collection and wholesale selling activities.
Why the undertaking EKMA Albania SHPK was not subject to this investigation
The undertaking EKMA Albania SHPK does not carry out agricultural product collection activities, but operates in the market for the leasing of premises for the storage and trade of agri-food products in Tirana. For this reason, the undertaking does not form part of the relevant market that was the subject of the investigation concluded in November 2025.
However, this has not prevented the Competition Authority, in the past, from undertaking the necessary legal actions against any undertaking, including EKMA Albania SHPK, whenever violations have been identified in the market in which it operates. Nor does it prevent the opening of a new investigation in the future.
On the collection of the fine imposed on EKMA Albania SHPK
With regard to the claim concerning the enforcement of only a small part of the fine imposed on EKMA Albania SHPK, for the sake of accuracy and transparency, we clarify the following:
– By Decision No. 572, dated 22.11.2018, the Competition Commission imposed a fine on EKMA Albania SHPK for abuse of a dominant position in the market for the leasing of premises for the storage and trade of agri-food products in Tirana.
The amount of the fine was ALL 43,168,617 and it has been enforced in full (100%), having been transferred to the benefit of the state budget.
This element is important to emphasize in order to clarify that the enforcement of the decisions of the Competition Authority is complete and that there are no pending cases on the part of the responsible institutions.
The Competition Authority remains committed to ensuring fair competition and the efficient functioning of markets.
