Unreasonably high prices for fruits and vegetables – What does an investigation by the Consumer Protection Service show –? On-the-spot checks in fruit shops and supermarkets
From an investigation by the Consumer Protection Service on the increased prices of fruit and vegetables, it emerged that in some cases an unreasonably increased retail price is observed for fruits and vegetables, which is mainly due to the practice followed until now for setting the retail price of fruit and vegetables by suppliers, on a daily basis.
In its announcement, the Ministry of Energy< /strong>, of Trade and Industry reports that, on the occasion of the increased prices of fruit and vegetables recorded recently by the Price Observatory of the Consumer Protection Service, as well as previous publications on the subject, it has made a on-the-spot checks and meetings, both at producer group level and in fruit orchards and supermarkets.
It is noted that during the contacts made, strict instructions were given by the Consumer Protection Agency to all concerned agencies to immediately end the practice of fixing the retail price of fruits and vegetables by suppliers, resulting in their compliance from 1/8/2024.
The purpose of the Service, it is stated, is to ensure conditions of healthy competition and price determination on the basis of free market conditions with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the financial interests of consumers.
In this context, it is pointed out that the Consumer Protection Service, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, will intensify the prescribed checks on the market, at all levels, to eliminate any unfair practices at the expense of consumers.
