Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has penalized Bunge Polska over 4.2 million PLN (approximately €1 million) for exploiting its contractual advantage against agricultural producers. The company, known locally for brands like Olej Kujawski and operating as part of a major global agribusiness group, used template contracts that unfairly limited farmers’ legal protections.
The regulatory probe focused on clauses that shifted severe operational risks onto farmers. Bunge Polska’s standard agreements held suppliers liable for failing to fulfill order quotas even when extreme weather events—such as severe droughts, hail, or late frosts—destroyed their crops. Despite having no realistic way to deliver the agreed-upon rapeseed or grain, farmers faced potential financial penalties under these rigid terms. UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny emphasized that agricultural producers are particularly vulnerable to unpredictable climate hazards, making it unlawful to strip them of force majeure exemptions.
While investigations showed that Bunge Polska had not actively enforced these penalty clauses since new fair-trading regulations took effect in 2021, the company had previously applied similar conditions to penalize farmers during weather-related shortfalls. UOKiK determined that keeping these terms in active contract templates still posed a significant threat to growers.
The total fine was set at 4,289,397.19 PLN (around €1,000,000). This amount reflects a substantial reduction because Bunge Polska cooperated fully throughout the investigation. Upon receiving UOKiK’s objections, the company immediately modified its standard contract language, eliminated the disputed clauses, and submitted a request to voluntarily submit to the penalty.
Because the matter was resolved through a settlement process, Bunge Polska will not appeal the decision in court. The antitrust ruling will officially become binding on September 4, 2026.
