Salmon Antitrust Litigation
SUMMARY
On May 24, 2019, the antitrust team at Lockridge Grindal Nauen, along with other firms, filed the first indirect purchaser antitrust class action on behalf of our clients alleging anticompetitive conduct by major Atlantic Salmon producers. Our clients and the class we intend to represent are indirect purchasers of farm-raised Atlantic salmon. In February 2019, the European Commission confirmed it opened up an investigation and commenced unannounced inspections of several producers of farmed Atlantic Salmon. See http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-19-1310_en.htm.
Background
On behalf of our clients we allege that beginning around July 2015, Atlantic salmon producers fixed, raised, maintained and/or stabilized the prices of farm-raised Atlantic salmon sold in the United States. Alleged conduct includes coordinating sales prices and exchanging commercially sensitive information, agreeing to purchase production from other competitors when those other competitors were selling at lower prices, and applying a coordinated strategy to increase spot prices in order to secure higher price levels for long term contracts. As a result, since 2015 farm-raised Atlantic salmon prices have been artificially inflated.
Were you affected by the alleged Salmon conspiracy?
You may have overpaid if you bought farm-raised Atlantic Salmon indirectly between 2015 and today, and the Salmon you bought was produced or packaged by any of the following companies or their subsidiaries: Mowi ASA (f/k/a Marine Harvest ASA), Mowi USA, LLC (f/k/a Marine Harvest USA, LLC), Marine Harvest Canada, Inc., Ducktrap River of Maine LLC, Grieg Seafood ASA, Grieg Seafood BC Ltd., Bremnes Seashore AS, Ocean Quality AS, Ocean Quality North America Inc., Ocean Quality USA Inc., Ocean Quality Premium Brands, Inc., SalMar ASA, Lerøy Seafood Group ASA, Lerøy Seafood USA Inc., and Scottish Sea Farms Ltd.
CONTACT
If you would like to discuss your legal options, please contact Heidi Silton or Sherri Juell at hmsilton@locklaw.com and sljuell@locklaw.com, or at 612-339-6900.