Fines were issued on the basis of findings of an investigation started by the antitrust body in 2017.
The nine companies fined by the antitrust authority are Claas Global Sales (RON65.6 million fine), Amazonen-Werke H.Dreyer (RON28.7 million fine), Claas Regional Centre South East Europe (RON20.5 million fine), Serv Class (RON4.1 million fine), Agrocomert Holding (RON2.7 million fine), Proinvest (RON2.6 million fine), Proagroservice (RON1.2 million fine), Ursa Mare Comprod (RON850,699 fine) and Tehnoland (RON314,046 fine).
During the investigation, the antitrust body found that during the 2014-2018 period, the aforementioned companies coordinated their pricing policies to reduce competition after the establishment of a national agricultural machine pricing database by the National Agency for Rural Investment Financing.
Agrocomert Holding and Ursa Mare Comprod have admitted to taking part in the price-fixing scheme and thus benefited from a reduction of fine, the antitrust watchdog said.