OREANDA-NEWS. July 09, 2012. The Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation dismissed a claim of trade networks – “Agrotorg” Ltd. and “Perekryostok” Trading House” CJSC to reconsider a case decision that the above and some other trading companies had violated Clause 1 Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law “On Protecting Competition” by fixing and maintaining excessive retail prices for flour in St Petersburg in 2010, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

“Agrotorg” Ltd. and “Perekryostok” Trading House” CJSC insisted on reconsidering the judgment of the Arbitration Court of St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region of 19th July 2011, upheld by the 13th Arbitration Appeal Court and the Federal Arbitration Court of North-Western District.

In June 2012, the Supreme Arbitration Court also dismissed claims of the above companies to reconsider similar judgments of the Courts of lower instances on a case on setting excessive buckwheat prices in St Petersburg in 2010.

On both cases the Courts of three instances confirmed legitimacy of the two decisions issued by St Petersburg OFAS Russia in December 2010 after the antimonopoly authority had exposed simultaneous growth of retail prices for buckwheat in July - September 2010 and for wheat flour – in July - October 2010.

St Petersburg OFAS Russia initiated two cases upon signs of violating the antimonopoly law. Having investigated the cases, OFAS found that the following trading networks – “Lenta” Ltd., “Agrotorg” Ltd. and “Perekryostok” Trading House” CJSC, “Real-Gipermarket” Ltd., “Dixie-Petersburg” CJSC and “OK” Ltd. violated the law of competition by fixing and maintaining excessive retail prices for flour and buckwheat.

In winter St Petersburg OFAS Russia issued several determinations to fine trade networks for the total amount 17.4 million Rubles.

“Perekryostok” Trading House” CJSC is fined 387,000 Rubles for fixing excessive buckwheat prices, and for fixing excessive flour prices - 1,196,000 Rubles. “Agrotorg” Ltd. is fined 1,709,000 Rubles for fixing excessive buckwheat prices and 6,211,000 Rubles - for fixing excessive flour prices.