Tesco sues salmon producers over alleged price-fixing.
Tesco has filed a competition lawsuit against several Norwegian salmon producers, alleging they engaged in anti-competitive practices that distorted the market for fresh farmed salmon. The case, first reported by mlex.com, and lodged at the High Court in London, names Lerøy Seafood Group, Grieg Seafood, SalMar, and others as defendants.
The UK retailer is pursuing damages independently, having opted not to join a separate claim brought by a consortium of food retailers, including Asda, Iceland, Marks & Spencer, Ocado, Morrisons, Aldi, and the Co-operative Group. That lawsuit, filed last year, also targeted salmon suppliers accused of collusion.
EU Commission suspects Mowi, Cermaq, Grieg, Leroy and SalMar of violating antitrust rules
The European Commission formally charged six Norwegian salmon farmers in 2024, alleging they coordinated pricing and sales volumes in the European market. The companies under investigation—Cermaq, Grieg Seafood, Bremnes, Lerøy, Mowi, and SalMar—allegedly exchanged commercially sensitive information that may have distorted competition for spot sales of Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon.
Tesco’s claim, filed at the High Court’s competition division, lists eight defendants: Cermaq Group, Lerøy Seafood Group, Scottish Sea Farms, Bremnes Seashore, Grieg Seafood, Grieg Seafood UK, SalMar, and Sjór. The plaintiffs include Tesco Stores, Booker, Booker Direct, Budgens Stores, Booker Retail Partners (GB), and Makro Self Service Wholesalers.
The salmon producers are also the subject of a planned class action in the UK, which seeks up to £382 million ($482 million) in compensation.
Tesco is the largest supermarket chain in the UK, with a market share of around 27%, making it a dominant force in the country’s grocery sector. With over 4,000 stores and an extensive online presence, Tesco wields significant influence over suppliers and pricing dynamics. It is known for aggressive cost negotiations, using its scale to secure competitive terms from producers. The retailer’s sheer purchasing power means that legal action against salmon suppliers could have major implications for the seafood industry, potentially reshaping supply chain relationships and pricing structures.
