CEOs Of Israel's 3 Largest Bakeries Arrested For Price Fixing And Collusion

The suspects allegedly coordinated prices and tenders for price-controlled bread intended for poor people and divided the bread market among themselves.

CEOs of Israel's three largest bakeries nabbed on suspicions of price-fixing

Ora Coren and Amit Benaroia • Ha'aretz

The CEOs of the country's three largest bakeries were arrested yesterday after antitrust investigators accused them of cooperating to fix prices.

This is one of the most blatant cartels the Antitrust Authority has uncovered. It is well organized and run by senior executives of these companies," the prosecutor told the court, requesting the extension of the suspects' remand.

He said the cartel represented the most serious breach of antitrust laws that are meant to protect the weaker parts of society.

Suspects include Yaron Angel, Angel Bakery CEO and one of the controlling share owners, Merhavit Bakery CEO Yohanan Aharonson and Berman Bakery CEO Yehuda Schneiderman. The suspects allegedly coordinated prices and tenders for price-controlled bread intended for poor people. They also divided the bread market among themselves.

Antitrust Authority officers raided the bakeries' offices for incriminating documents. They asked to extend Angel's custody by four days. In addition to the CEO, two Angel bakery workers were also arrested.

The Antitrust Authority customarily refrains from arresting suspects and usually releases them under restrictions.

The prosecution told the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court the suspects' activity came at the expense of "the people who consume relatively large quantities of bread."

It is still unclear whether the bakeries coordinated moves pertaining only to price-controlled bread or to other kinds of bread as well. Price-controlled bread consists of sliced white bread and ordinary challah, whose profit margins are relatively low compared to the specialty breads. The price control is intended to make it easier for low-income families to consume bread - seen as a staple food.

Bakery owners coordinate price changes of price-controlled bread with the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry, in keeping with estimated changes in production costs. However, the ministry suspects they coordinated their positions before and after their meetings with the ministry officials.

The Israeli bread industry is worth approximately NIS 2 billion annually. The bread market is not characterized by consumer loyalty, as the large bakeries do not produce unique products as do Lehem Erez, Lehem Haaretz and other boutique bakeries.

Despite the competition, the bakeries appear to have kept a system of balances that prevented them from seriously damaging each other.

Angel bakery released a statement saying they were looking into the allegations.

"At this stage the company is studying the incident's details," they said. "The company is not aware of anything illegal. The company will cooperate with the investigating authorities as required."

The two other bakeries were unavailable for comment.

Comments

[Hometown Postville]

So much for being in it to help the poor! They need to rename their religion to avoid further embarrassment. At least SMR used the excuse that he was supporting his peers. They will all find out where their actions lead them when they stand before the pearly gates!

[WoolSilkCotton]

Shmarya, couldn't you find a graphic of a loaf of Jewish rye? Why the plain white bread?

http://www.zabars.com/zabars-recipe-classic-sour-rye/911004F,default,pd.html?cgid=Gourmet_Bread

[Yisroel Pensack]

The Israeli bread industry is worth approximately NIS 2 billion annually.

That's a lot of dough.

[Yisroel Pensack]

Now I understand what it means when the label says "challah has been taken."

[harold]

If you strip out the SMR trial, it is amazing how there is basically no anti-Haredi news here in the US. All the action is going on in Israel.

[Yisroel Pensack]

[The prosecutor] said the cartel represented the most serious breach of antitrust laws that are meant to protect the weaker parts of society.

Suspects include Yaron Angel, Angel Bakery CEO and one of the controlling share owners, Merhavit Bakery CEO Yohanan Aharonson and Berman Bakery CEO Yehuda Schneiderman. The suspects allegedly coordinated prices and tenders for price-controlled bread intended for poor people. They also divided the bread market among themselves.

It seems the angel and the other guys weren't just loafing on the job.

[al Farabi]

"the chosen people" demonstrating their chosen status once again

[Althelion]

Angel, Aharonson, and Schneiderman are scumbags. Their sentencing should include having to eat matzvah every day that they are incarcerated.

[sifter]

Hey al Farabi, I wouldn't blast all 'the chosen people' because of some crooks. I'm sure a little investigating into petroleum price fixing, child prostitution and assorted larceny would turn up some interesting items in Esav's closet as well.

[A. Nuran]

al Farabi, nice to see you lift your head up from the crotch of the little girl whose clitoris you just lopped off. Or was it the corpse of the one you gassed for going to school?

[A. Nuran]

No, I don't believe that is true for all or most Muslims. But if you want to start numbering atrocities you're going to have to take your ass-whipping like a little man and acknowledge the horrors that Islam is guilty of.