Argentina: Supermarket ‘abuse’ prompts complaints over competition

Sociedad Rural Argentina, an industry group defending the rights of farmers and agriculture workers, has gone before the country’s competition regulator CNDC with a series of complaints over unfair competition in the distribution chain – particularly, over the prices of milk being charged by several supermarket chains, which SRA officials have considered abusive.

“Supermarkets are stealing from producers and consumers” said Miguel Etchevehere, SRA’s president. “It would be good for them to explain why the switch from one price to another.” he continued, before questioning the reason behind the large price gap between a product at origin and its final retail consumer price.

Etchevehere urged the current national government to acknowledge that “it is necessary to make this supply chain transparent, so there are no abuses – whether from the producer’s side or for the consumer.” To do this, he said, “we need a strong State that can guarantee transparency and competition.”

Responding to the controversy, Mr. Fernando Aguirre, speaking for the Argentine Chamber of Supermarkets (Cámara Argentina de Supermercados, CAS) clarified the role of supermarkets, saying that “not all supermarkets are alike: there are national and international chains. These are the ones who really hold and wield significant power.”

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