Competition Authority launches investigation into 18 pesticide companies

The Competition Authority has launched an official investigation into 18 companies operating in the plant protection and plant nutrition products sector, which holds a significant market share in agriculture, to determine whether they have shared competitively sensitive data such as prices, sales volumes, targets, and discount policies among themselves.

In the statement issued by the Board, it was noted that plant protection products aim to protect plants from factors such as harmful organisms, diseases, and insects. It was emphasized that plant nutrition products have a direct impact on agricultural yield and health by providing the essential nutrients that crops require.

In the assessment conducted, it was stated that the investigation is examining whether the sharing of strategic information among the companies under review—regarding product-based prices, sales figures, payment terms, discount rates, and marketing targets—has negatively affected the competitive environment in the market.

The statement included the following: "In this context, it will be evaluated under the Law whether the information sharing in question is of a nature that could reduce strategic uncertainty among competitors and lead to coordination between competitors in the plant nutrition or plant protection markets."

The companies under investigation are listed as follows: Adama Turkey Tarım Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd Şti., Agrobest Grup Tarım İlaçları Tohumculuk İmalat İthalat İhracat Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ, Agrofarm Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ, AMC-TR Tarım Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ, Astranova Tarım Ticaret ve Sanayi AŞ, BASF Agricultural Solutions Turkey Kimya Ticaret AŞ, the economic entity consisting of Ertar Kimya Tarım Ürünleri ve Aletleri İmalat Pazarlama Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti., Ferbis Tarım Ticaret ve Sanayi AŞ, and Sunset Kimya Tarım Ürünleri ve Aletleri İmalat ve Pazarlama Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ, FMC Turkey Endüstri Ürünleri Sanayi Ltd. Şti., Lances Link Kimya ve İlaç Sanayi Ticaret AŞ, Nufarm Turkey Kimyevi Maddeler İthalat ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti., Platin Kimya Mümessillik ve Dış Tic. AŞ, Safa Tarım AŞ, UPL Ziraat ve Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti., Sumi Agro Turkey Tarım İlaçları Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ, Syngenta Tarım Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ, and Tarkim Bitki Koruma Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ.

News Source: 12punto