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Pretoria - Farmers paid R170m more for fertiliser than they should have because of the anti-competitive behaviour of Sasol and other fertiliser suppliers.
A Grain SA presentation to the competition authorities noted that manufacturers of grain and oilseeds spent a total of R3.4bn in 2004/05 on fertiliser. Anti-competitive behaviour is estimated to have driven its price 5% up during that season.
The presentation follows the hearing on Sasol's R250m fine for cartel collusion in the fertiliser industry.
TAU SA's Chris van Zyl comments that commercial farmers often unfairly get blamed for high food prices.
"As primary producers they are at the mercy of continuous increases in input costs, over which they have no control."
Van Zyl added that the state is a significant direct or indirect shareholder in Sasol.
This means that profits which have led to a dividend for the shareholders, could be equal to the fine now being paid to the state.
"Therefore neither the State nor Sasol loses out. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for South African farmers."
Cosatu pleaded with the Competition Tribunal to impose the maximum fine of 10% of the culpable company's turnover in future. The fine upheld by the Tribunal represents 8% of Sasol Nitro's turnover.
- Sake24.com
For more business news in Afrikaans, go to Sake24.com.