Antitrust

Agcm fines Amica Chips, Pata and Preziosi Food 23 million for cartel in salty private-label snacks

Three producers of salty snacks agreed on the distribution of supplies to the large-scale retail trade, violating European competition rules and receiving heavy fines.

28 April 2026

1' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

1' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The Italian Competition and Market Authority (Agcm) has established a cartel between leading Italian producers of salty snacks sold under private labels.

The three companies implemented an agreement to share the supply of salty snacks produced on behalf of the large-scale retail trade (GDO).

The antitrust authority has sanctioned a total of EUR 23.2 million Amica Chips S.p.A. (EUR 8.2 million), Pata S.p.A. (EUR 7.5 million) and Preziosi Food S.p.A. (EUR 7.5 million).

The Authority ascertained an agreement restricting competition, in violation of Article 101 TFEU (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), in the Italia market of salted snacks produced on behalf of large-scale retail trade and sold through the distribution network of the same large-scale retail trade under private label.

The three companies implemented a single, complex and continuous secret cartel to share the supply of salty snacks produced on behalf of the large-scale retail trade by coordinating their respective commercial policies.

The Antitrust Authority applied its leniency programme and granted Pata and Amica Chips the benefit of a reduced fine, in view of the evidence produced, which was significant to prove the infringement.

Moreover, the Authority activated, for the first time since its introduction, the settlement procedure provided for by Article 14-quater of Law No. 287 of 10 October 1990 and, thanks to the successful outcome of this procedure, the three companies benefited from a further reduction in the fine.