The organization Facua-Consumidores en Acción reported to the antimonopoly authorities about the pricing policies of eight supermarket and hypermarket chains. olive oil Own brand. According to the association, all of them increased the price of one-liter bottles of their “white” brands of extra virgin olive oil by 9% in November. The analysis shows that now for three months they had the same prices or with a difference not exceeding 1 cent.

The association’s study concluded that the price of a 1-liter bottle of extra virgin olive oil is the same across white brands. Alcampo, Aldi, Carrefour, Dia, Eroski, Hypercor, Lidl and Mercadona. Specific, 9.25 euros. This amount is 9% more expensive than in September and October. In the same month, Dia, Eroski, Hipercor and Mercadona sold it at €8.50, while Alcampo, Aldi, Lidl and Carrefour set it at €8.49.

The representative of the organization, Ruben Sanchez, assured that “this increase does not respond to rising prices at the source and indicates a parallel pricing strategy.”

The organization appealed to National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) to launch an investigation to find out whether an agreement exists between major distribution networks. “This is not a coincidence, this could be in response to the cartel”, he ruled, suggesting that there may be a “conspiracy contrary to the Competition Act.”

The same thing happens in three liter canisters and in those of 750 milliliters, where the maximum difference is only 1 cent. In a 750ml bottle of Extra Virgin, Alcampo and Carrefour are selling it for €7.59 this month, while the other six chains are selling it for €7.60. In September and October everyone offered 7.15 euros.

A three-liter bottle costs €27.60 at Dia, Eroski and Mercadona and €27.59 at Aldi and Lidl. “This month, five have almost equaled the price with a maximum difference of one cent, after Dia sold them in October for 23.40 euros and the rest for 24.99 or 25.00 euros,” explains Faqua.

As for extra virgin olive oil, prices are also “traced” on 1- and 3-liter bottles of chains selling it under their own brands, the association notes. Aldi, Dia, Carrefour, Hipercor, Lidl and Mercadona offer this variety for €8.25 per liter bottle. And the four supermarkets that have their own branded 3-litre containers are selling them in November at very similar prices: Aldi and Lidl at €24.59, Dia and Mercadona at €24.60.

“Illegal” increase in margin

Sanchez assured that it is produced by large retail chains.”parallel increase in profits“It is illegal to increase the margin on this product this year,” he added, since oil is affected VAT reduction government decree.

The association also announced a promotion to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, which it currently heads. Alberto Garzon. For months, the organization had been reporting on rising food prices affected by the VAT cut to launch an investigation. Sanchez said they believe the CNMC will open an investigation but have little hope for Garzon’s department, which has been accused of not even responding to complaints filed in recent months.