Spanish regulator CNMC has fined Bodegas José Estévez SA with 1.7 million euros following confirmation of their participation in price-fixing cartel affecting fine wines from the city of Jerez.
The agreements between providers in the cartel involving Bodegas José Estévez included quotas and limits on exportation for each participant, the implementation of a compensation scheme and price fixing through minimum price-setting for customer discounts, as well as exchanging sensitive information for the purpose of manipulating prices.
The cartel was able to manipulate prices and avoid competitive pressure due to their effective control over 90% of exports. The arrangements implied an artificial rise in prices, with direct impact on consumers.
On July 2008 the Vino Jerez case was filed against José Estévez SA over their participation in a fine wine cartel involving the same sector. The violations detected may have started back in 2001, mostly affecting the export of fine wines out of Jerez.
Full Content: CNMC
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
Federal Competition Office to Scrutinize High Electricity Prices in Germany
Jan 2, 2025 by
CPI
Mexican Lawmakers Advance Controversial Plan to Dissolve Independent Oversight Bodies
Jan 2, 2025 by
CPI
Motorola Accuses UK of Antitrust Breach Over Terminated Emergency Services Contract
Jan 2, 2025 by
CPI
Amazon Must Face Antitrust Case Over Alleged Monopoly Practices
Jan 2, 2025 by
CPI
US Appeals Court Blocks FCC’s Move to Reinstate Net Neutrality Rules
Jan 2, 2025 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – CRESSE Insights
Dec 19, 2024 by
CPI
Effective Interoperability in Mobile Ecosystems: EU Competition Law Versus Regulation
Dec 19, 2024 by
Giuseppe Colangelo
The Use of Empirical Evidence in Antitrust: Trends, Challenges, and a Path Forward
Dec 19, 2024 by
Eliana Garces
Some Empirical Evidence on the Role of Presumptions and Evidentiary Standards on Antitrust (Under)Enforcement: Is the EC’s New Communication on Art.102 in the Right Direction?
Dec 19, 2024 by
Yannis Katsoulacos
The EC’s Draft Guidelines on the Application of Article 102 TFEU: An Economic Perspective
Dec 19, 2024 by
Benoit Durand