STUDENAC d.o.o. from Omiš was fined EUR 132,000 by the Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) for serious infringement of the Croatian Act on the prohibition of unfair trading practices in the business-to-business food supply chain.

The CCA's investigation revealed that STUDENAC used its strong bargaining power to impose unfair trading practices on its suppliers, including failing to agree on product pricing in writing, imposing extra charges for marketing services without prior agreement, illegally returning products, and delaying payments beyond the specified deadlines.

The CCA initiated an ex officio infringement proceeding against STUDENAC to determine if it had abused its bargaining power and imposed unfair practices on suppliers of agri- and food products.

Considering the severity, extent, and duration of the infringement, as well as its impact on suppliers, the CCA imposed a EUR 132,000 fine on STUDENAC to serve as a deterrent to both the company and other actors in the food supply chain.

The full decision, excluding confidential information, will be made available on the CCA website in due course.