Fyffes and Chiquita have both received statements of objections from the European Commission relating to an investigation begun in 2005 into a suspected cartel supplying bananas in Europe.
Fyffes said it had received the statements with its continental European joint venture, Weichert.
“The statements of objections allege infringements ... relating to the supply of bananas to the Northern European region of the European Economic Area," Fyffes said in a statement.
A Commission spokesman said the company has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with the investigation.
In June 2005 the anti-trust authorities of the European Union searched banana and pineapple companies suspected of fixing prices in Europe after the whistle was blown by Chiquita.
Fyffes said in its statement issued on Tuesday that the commission’s statements of objection area a result of those raids carried out two years ago and follow-up requests from EU authorities since then.
“Fyffes and Weichert will examine the European Commission's preliminary findings as reported in the statements of objections and respond in due course,” Fyffes said in its statement.
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