Finland’s largest grocery chains sever ties with berry suppliers accused of price-fixing cartel

Finland’s two biggest grocery retailers, Kesko and S-ryhmä, have suspended business with major berry suppliers implicated in a long-running price-fixing cartel, calling the allegations “deeply disturbing” and demanding immediate industry reform.

The Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) revealed this week that several Finnish berry companies—responsible for supplying most domestic wild berries to supermarkets—are suspected of colluding on prices for years. The investigation follows prior scandals over labor exploitation in the sector, including ongoing human trafficking trials linked to berry pickers, many of them migrant workers from Thailand.

Kesko’s head of grocery trade and sustainability, Harri Hovi, condemned the cartel as “particularly egregious” for targeting vulnerable pickers. “The duration and nature of this alleged collusion is shocking,” Hovi said, adding that the company is reviewing all contracts with the accused suppliers. S-ryhmä’s daily goods director, Antti Oksa, echoed the stance, stating, “This industry has been plagued by misconduct. It ends now.” Both chains stressed that Finnish wild berries must be sourced ethically to restore consumer trust.

The accused firms include Kiantama Oy, whose frozen bilberries are sold in S-group stores. Kiantama cooperated with the KKV probe, but the authority has proposed fines totaling over €9 million for four companies involved. Industry group Arktiset Aromit ry, representing wild product businesses, claimed no knowledge of price discussions among members. “This is completely unexpected,” said director Birgitta Partanen, noting that most berries now come from formal employment contracts with Thai workers or domestic pickers.

Fair Trade Finland has pushed for stricter certification in the berry trade, requiring full supply-chain audits to address labor rights and environmental standards. Consumers in Rovaniemi expressed frustration, with one shopper, Samuli Juurakko, vowing to “support only fair operators” going forward.