Thirteen rice mills are being investigated for possible absolute monopolistic practices that affect the marketing, distribution and production of this important item.
The Authority for the Protection of Consumers and Defense of Competition (Acodeco), carried out this Thursday, March 9, a judicial proceeding in the facilities of 13 rice mills and the association that brings them together, with the purpose of ensuring evidence, in order to to determine the commission or not of these practices at the national level.
Said diligence is duly authorized by the Ninth Civil Circuit Court of the Special Jurisdiction for Free Competition and Consumer Affairs. The mills are located in the provinces of Panama, Chiriquí, Coclé, Los Santos and Veraguas.
This administrative investigation began ex officio last year, by the National Directorate of Free Competition, before the alleged commission of absolute monopolistic practices, consisting of the coordination of prices and the limitation of the production, distribution or commercialization of premium rice at the national level. by the mills, acts that violate numerals 1 and 2 of article 13 of Law 45 of 2007.
The evidence collected at this stage undergoes a meticulous legal economic analysis by the research team, to determine if it is necessary to expand it or to conclude whether or not there is sufficient evidence, in order to file a lawsuit before the courts.
It should be noted that, if these practices are confirmed, each economic agent involved could be penalized up to one million balboas.
