Nutella-maker Ferrero aware of EU inspections, says it is cooperating

Nutella maker Ferrero says it is undergoing EU inspections amid antitrust investigation

Ferrero Faces EU Antitrust Probe

MILAN, April 15 (Reuters) - Nutella maker Ferrero said on Wednesday it is aware that European Commission officials are currently carrying out on-site inspections at its offices, following reports that the commission was conducting investigations into antitrust practices.

Ferrero's Response to the Investigation

"The company is fully cooperating and providing the information requested," the company, which is headquartered in Luxembourg, said in a statement in response to a request from Reuters.

Background on the EU Antitrust Investigation

Earlier this week the ​European Commission said it had raided the premises ‌of an unnamed chocolate confectionery company over a suspected violation of antitrust rules that ​prohibit cartels and anti-competitive practices.

Focus of the EU Commission's Inquiry

The EU Commission said it was investigating ​"possible market segmentation in the ​form of restrictions on the trade of goods ‌between ⁠member states in the single market and obstacles to multi-country purchases".

Retailers' Concerns Over Market Practices

European retailers have long accused big consumer brands of anticompetitive practices like maintaining price differences between EU member countries and making it difficult for supermarkets to buy a branded good in bulk and sell across the whole bloc - practices called "territorial supply constraints".

Industry and Media Reactions

In a statement on Wednesday after the investigation was announced but before Ferrero was revealed to be the target, retail association Eurocommerce said it supported the European Commission in taking action against such practices.

Bloomberg first reported that Ferrero was the company involved.

(Reporting by Elisa Anzolin, additional reporting by Helen Reid, editing by Cristina Carlevaro and Jan Harvey)