Australian chicken suppliers under ACCC scrutiny following complaint

A leading Australian chicken processor is facing scrutiny from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) following allegations of price-fixing, according to media reports.

The Australian newspaper reported the existence of the probe. It has also reported that it has seen complaints from a large processor that Baiada sold it “chicken that was bruised, unsaleable or quickly went off”.

ACCC investigators have been seeking information from the chicken processing industry about claims from a third party of contact between Baiada and family-owned Victoria based chicken farm and processor Hazeldenes, according to The Australian newspaper.

The Australian said Hazeldenes Managing Director John Hazeldene has said the Company had not engaged in any price-fixing.

The ACCC has not confirmed or denied the existence of the investigation.

Baiada, owned by the Camil-lieri family, last year generated revenue of more than $1.47 billion, is a major supplier to Coles and sells chicken under Steggles, Lilydale and Bartter brands. The Australian newspaper reported that Baiada’s major competitor, Ingham’s, is not believed to be under investigation in the ACCC’s probe.