The Estonian Competition Authority has opened supervisory proceedings against six major retail chains to examine their commercial practices toward food suppliers. The proceedings involve Coop Eesti Keskühistu, Selver AS, AS Prisma Peremarket, Rimi Eesti Food AS, Maxima Eesti OÜ, and AS OG Elektra.
According to Competition Authority lawyer Kristin Truus, the Authority has made the fairness of contractual relationships in the food supply chain a focus area for 2025. In the first half of the year, the Authority reviewed approximately 140 contracts between retailers and agricultural or food producers.
“The Competition Authority’s previous survey indicated that, despite existing legal prohibitions, most food suppliers have continued to face unfair trading practices from buyers,” Truus said.
The findings reveal a widespread pattern of problematic behavior. About 60% of suppliers reported unilateral changes to contract terms by buyers, while 48% experienced late payments or order cancellations on short notice. Additionally, 47% faced fees unrelated to the actual sale of goods, and 43% encountered commercial threats.
Truus noted that 76% of respondents identified retail chains as the main source of unfair trading practices. Based on these results and the contract analysis, the Authority decided to initiate supervisory proceedings against the six aforementioned retail companies.
The Authority emphasized, however, that the initiation of proceedings does not imply that violations have been established. Each company involved will be given the opportunity to present its position and provide explanations.
The investigation follows an anonymous survey conducted by the Competition Authority in March and April 2025 among agricultural and food product suppliers. The goal was to assess the prevalence of unfair practices and identify areas where further enforcement may be necessary. A summary of the survey results is publicly available on the Authority’s website.
The Estonian Competition Authority operates under the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs and is responsible for state supervision in areas including competition, energy, district heating, postal services, water supply, railways, aviation, and ports. The Authority also plays a key role in preventing unfair trading practices within the agricultural and food supply chain.
