OREANDA-NEWS. March 04, 2011. The Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Nizhnij Novgorod region (Nizhnij Novgorod OFAS Russia) identified the signs of violating Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” by “Agrarnie Tekhnologii” Ltd., “Crystal” Trading House” Ltd., “Povolzhie-NN” Ltd. and an individual entrepreneur, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The antimonopoly body initiated the case upon receiving petitions from citizens about growing buckwheat prices in summer 2010.

The Commission of Nizhnij Novgorod OFAS Russia established that the aggregate share of “Agrarnie Tekhnologii” Ltd., “Crystal” Trading House” Ltd., “Povolzhie-NN” Ltd. and the individual entrepreneur on the market of buckwheat supplies was over 70%. In April – September 2010 these suppliers increased their ex-works prices on average by 2.6 times. As the same time, the growth of purchasing prices was considerably below the growth of the retail prices. In November – December 2010 retail prices increased by 46%, while purchasing prices increased only by 15%.

“We do not exclude that new persons can be involved in the case. Nizhnij Novgorod OFAS Russia will continue the investigation and shall analyse price behaviour in the system of buckwheat supplies to the close network (medical, educational and other institutions)”, said the Head of Nizhnij Novgorod OFAS Russia, Mikhail Teodorovich.