FAS Finds Fuel Price Cartels in Multiple Regions
The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) identified signs of cartel collusion at gas stations in Krasnoyarsk Krai and Khakasia, as well as violations in the fuel market in other regions.
Consensus
- FAS found signs of cartel agreements in fuel markets in Khakassia, Krasnoyarsky Krai, Krasnodar Krai, Zaporozhye.
- The alleged cartels involved setting artificially high fuel prices.
- FAS issued warnings to fuel operators to adjust prices.
- Failure to comply with warnings led to formal investigations.
- Potential administrative penalties are possible if violations are confirmed.
- In some regions, fuel prices were adjusted after warnings.
- FAS temporarily suspended special pricing rules for fuel procurement for state and municipal needs on August 10.
Points of divergence
- In Krasnoyarsk Krai, the cartel involved ООО «Старт» and an individual entrepreneur operating under the «Газпромнефть» brand, who synchronized prices. — vedomosti
- In Krasnodar Krai, FAS filed cases against four companies: ООО МХО «Рассвет», ООО «Лаба», ООО «Южная нефтяная компания», and ООО «НК Нефтесфера». — interfax
- In Krasnodar Krai, the four companies were accused of failing to comply with price adjustment warnings and faced penalties for abuse of dominant market position. — m24
- In Zaporozhye Oblast, FAS initiated three cases against major fuel station operators after inspections. — vedomosti
- In Saratov Oblast, one operator (ООО «Трансгруз») complied with the warning and lowered prices. — interfax
- In Bряnsk Oblast, fuel operators under the brand «Люкс-Ойл» were under investigation, but no details were provided. — m24
- In Bряnsk Oblast, FAS continues checking other participants in the regional fuel market. — vedomosti
Coverage (5 sources)
- FAS identified signs of cartel collusion at gas stations in Krasnoyarsk Krai and Khakasia — Ведомости
- In several regions of the Russian Federation, new violations by fuel companies have been identified — Вести
- FAS identified signs of violations at a number of fuel companies in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Krasnodar Krai, Zaporozhye, and Khakassia. — ТАСС (Telegram)
- FAS identified signs of violations in the actions of private fuel companies in the regions — Интерфакс
- FAS found violations in the fuel market in 4 Russian regions — Москва 24