Saldanha Foods to pay R4m over price fixing

Johannesburg - Saldanha Foods will pay a fine of more than R4m for being involved in the price fixing of pilchards and anchovies, the Competition Tribunal said on Wednesday.

The tribunal confirmed the settlement agreement with the company relating to the price fixing and market allocation of pelagic fish.

Saldanha Foods admitted it contravened the Competition Act when it agreed, as a member of the SA Pelagic Fish Processors Association, to fix prices paid to vessel owners or operators, skippers and crew for the service of catching pelagic fish.

This took place between the mid 1990s and 2010. Saldanha Foods agreed, among other things, to pay a penalty of R4 063 750 for its involvement.

Oceana Brands Limited and Premier Fishing SA previously paid penalties of R34.7m and R2.1m respectively.

Pelagic fish live in a zone in the ocean neither close to its shore nor the bottom.