Russian anti-trust service opens probe into rebar manufacturers
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Russia's federal anti-monopoly service FAS has initiated an anti-cartel investigation on several Russian rebar producers, Kallanish learns from the service.
At the disposal of FAS there is data that may indicate signs of price collusion, the consequence of which may be the growth and maintenance of selling prices for valves, according to the agency's website.
Earlier, on the appeals of citizens and organizations about the growth of prices for metal, including rebar, it has carried out price monitoring, the results of which established that in Russia in 2021 compared to the previous year, prices for rebar increased significantly - more than 50%.
As one of the reasons for the increase in prices for rebar, metallurgical companies indicated an increase in price indicators in foreign markets. At the same time, the agency recorded a price increase in the domestic market during the decline in external indicators, FAS says.
“Thus, based on the results of the analysis of the information available to the department, circumstances have been established that may indicate the presence in the actions of the largest manufacturers of rebar of signs of conclusion and implementation of price collusion aimed at increasing and maintaining selling prices for this products,” the agency observes.
In this regard, FAS conducts unscheduled on-site inspections of NLMK, Novostal-M, Tulachermet-Steel LLC, IMH for the conclusion of an anti-competitive agreement. During the inspections, the agency will assess the pricing of the largest manufacturers of rebar, as well as study the reasons for the possible unjustified price increase.
If there is a violation of the prohibitions established by the actions of the inspected persons, a case of violation of antimonopoly legislation will be initiated, FAS noted.
In April, FAS has initiated an anti-trust investigation of three Russian major steel producers - Severstal, MMK and NLMK (see Kallanish passim). According to FAS, the companies established and maintained disproportionately high prices for hot rolled flat products.
NLMK and MMK, in their comments to Kallanish, say that they are all working in accordance with Russian competition law and are ready to provide all necessary documentation as a proof of their lawful actions.
Svetoslav Abrossimov Bulgaria