The Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) opened 51 criminal cases of profiteering in the course of inspections of 960 operators and found more than 50% profit from onions.
These findings are part of the body’s latest analysis on rising food prices, which was presented this Thursday at a press conference at the Ministry of Economy and the Sea in Lisbon.
“Checked 960 business entities […] and we opened 51 criminal cases for profiteering,” said ASAE Inspector General Pedro Portugal Gaspar.
ASAE has also filed 91 administrative offense cases as part of these actions, which have been ongoing since the second half of 2022.
Based on a crossover between purchasing from a retailer to a supplier and selling to a consumer, ASAE determined a margin of 30% in products such as “white sugar, vegetable oil and sea bream”.
Already with a profitability of 30% to 40%, canned tuna, milk and cabbage appear.
This is followed by products such as eggs, oranges, carrots and pork steaks, with a markup of 40% to 50%.
A bow stands out above this field.
“Whether there is a risk of making illegal profits or not remains to be seen,” said Pedro Portugal Gaspar.
At the same meeting, Economy Minister António Costa Silva promised to “be inflexible” in relation to all abnormal situations that are found in this sector.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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