The Competition Council informs that negotiations between retailers and processors have been concluded, and the price of milk has registered reductions, averaging 20% in most stores, according to the information held by the Competition Council.

"Although it is a voluntary agreement, and retailers and processors are not legally obliged to participate, they have widely adhered to the government's initiative, and the price reductions for fresh Romanian milk reach up to 34% for certain varieties available in stores," said Bogdan Chirițoiu, President of the Competition Council.

The price of Romanian milk, both the 1.5% fat and the 3.5% fat, has experienced decreases on store shelves since the agreement came into effect, according to the information collected from the Price Monitor platform.

"Price reductions are provided exclusively by retailers and processors and should not affect farmers, namely the farmgate milk price. On the contrary, by stimulating domestic consumption, it will increase demand, and local producers will sell more," added the President of the Competition Council.

It is worth noting that the voluntary agreement between retailers and processors to reduce the price of fresh milk for consumption was reached at a meeting between Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă, representatives of farmers, processors in the food industry, the Association of Large Retail Chains in Romania, and the Association of Goods Distribution Companies in Romania, for a period of six months, starting from May 1.

Currently, all major retail chains and processors that meet the conditions participate in the voluntary agreement regarding the reduction of milk prices: to sell fresh Romanian milk that costs over 7 lei/liter (without being included in any promotion) as of the date of the government meeting (April 11, 2023).

The Competition Council has been involved in the implementation actions of this agreement to guide interested companies to participate without risking the violation of competition rules.