The report says quantitative restrictions on imports or any other measure that might spell discrimination are banned in EU member states.
The antitrust body said in its report that forcing supermarkets and hypermarkets to sell mainly Romanian products, at least 80% of their total products, may translate into discrimination against small stores, cash&carry stores or discount stores. A legislative proposition in the retail sector, unveiled at the end of 2011, would force retail chains to sell mostly Romanian products, namely 80% of total products on sale, and to relocate medium or large stores outside towns.
Agriculture Minister Daniel Constantin has recently said that half of the food products sold in Romanian hypermarkets come from domestic output and this share should further increase.
Last week, antitrust watchdog president Bogdan Chiritoiu said the watchdog is open to collaborations targeting public programs meant to support Romanian agricultural products.
Early this year, Mediafax reported that fruit, vegetables and meat imported to Romania are sold in stores and marketplaces at prices even ten times higher than entry prices and, in some cases, a buyer pays even 15 to 20 times more than import values.