In a written answer to MEP Biljana Borzan (S&D), Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera outlined the Commission's view that food price inflation in Eastern EU Member States stems from a mix of global shocks and transitory divergences, not systematic anticompetitive behaviour. Ribera stressed that national competition authorities in Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia have investigated margin increases since 2022 and found no systematic abuse, though a few follow-up probes are ongoing. The answer signals the Commission's reliance on existing competition tools rather than new regulatory intervention to address price disparities that have seen bread prices rise 170% in Hungary and 122% in Bulgaria, while Western countries report growth below 20%.
The question, submitted on 29 January 2026 by the Croatian S&D MEP, cited Eurobarometer data showing inflation and poverty as top EU concerns, especially in the East. Borzan highlighted stark examples: the price of 10 eggs in Poland now buys 18 eggs four years ago; in Slovakia, 24. Ribera's response attributed the spikes to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions, Russia's war in Ukraine, energy and fertiliser costs, severe weather, and animal diseases.
Competition enforcement as primary tool Ribera detailed ongoing Commission investigations into possible market partitioning by an energy drinks supplier, collusion among salmon producers, and trade restrictions by drinks and personal care firms. Past sanctions include fines for confectionery and beer market partitioning and a food delivery cartel. The answer implicitly rejects the need for emergency price caps or sector-specific regulation, instead doubling down on antitrust enforcement.
a future legislative step On Borzan's second question about the planned late-2026 legislative proposal to remove territorial supply constraints, Ribera confirmed that an impact assessment and consultations are underway, with a call for evidence published on 5 March 2026. A 2020 study suggested removing such practices could yield significant consumer savings. The answer remains vague on specifics, offering no timeline beyond the announced proposal and no numerical targets.
Policy orientation and institutional follow-up The Commission's stance is cautious: it acknowledges the problem but attributes it to external shocks and transitory factors, not structural market failures. The emphasis on competition enforcement and the upcoming single market strategy suggests a preference for incremental, market-based solutions over direct intervention. The legislative proposal on territorial supply constraints, expected by late 2026, will be the key test of whether the Commission moves beyond enforcement to structural reform. No immediate follow-up is signalled beyond ongoing consultations.
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