
The Competition Authority has started monitoring the bakery market regarding the increase in the price of bread production and trading. This action comes after the entry into force of the decision of the Energy Regulatory Body that determined the change in the price of energy for bakeries that also sell pastry, dough products, or have coffee beans.
From November 1, the inspectors of the Competition Authority will monitor the bakeries in the field for evidence of any abusive behavior in violation of the Law "On the Protection of Competition". This law prohibits all agreements that have as an object or as a consequence the obstruction, limitation or distortion of competition in the market, especially agreements that determine directly or indirectly, purchase or sale prices, or any other trading conditions.
In the published announcement, the Competition Authority emphasizes that the violation of the law "On the protection of competition" constitutes an administrative offense and is sanctioned with a fine, in the amount of up to 10% of the turnover of the previous financial year of the enterprises involved in illegal agreements.
With the new energy charging system for ovens, the only ones that were not affected by the change in the price of electricity were bakeries, which have no other integrated activity, where the price continues to be 7.6 Lek/kwh. Meanwhile, for those premises that have bread ovens, pastry products or other dough products, the applied price is 9.5 Lek/kwh. The third category includes those premises that are more extensive and include a bar and cafe, for which the price of electricity is 12 Lek/kwh.