On April 3, 2025, the President of the Competition Council of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Alexei Gherțescu, participated in the 7th edition of the Retail, Distribution & FMCG Market Conference, where he presented the authority’s perspectives on the retail and distribution sector in the Republic of Moldova. The event, which gathered over 300 participants, provided a platform for discussion on market dynamics, consumer trends, and supply chain challenges.

In his intervention, Mr. Gherțescu emphasized that the agri-food sector is a priority for the Competition Council and is being thoroughly analyzed across the entire distribution chain—from agricultural producers to final consumers. Key focus areas for the authority include the identification and investigation of anti-competitive practices, merger control in the retail sector, and the enforcement of legislation on unfair trading practices.

A central point of the speech was the impact of anti-competitive practices on the market. Agreements on resale price maintenance, territorial or customer restrictions, and other restrictive practices can distort competition and therefore require close monitoring. Economic operators were encouraged to pay particular attention to contracts with suppliers/distributors, especially those with significant market power.

Additionally, the merger control is essential to prevent the emergence of dominant market positions. In order to streamline the notification process and ensure transparency, Mr. Gherțescu recommended that the parties involved actively engage with the Competition Council’s team prior to submitting the merger notification form and demonstrate full openness during the review process.

Regarding unfair trading practices, the importance of protecting agri-food suppliers in their commercial relationships with stronger bargaining counterparts was also highlighted. The Competition Council is currently conducting a market study to identify existing imbalances and is preparing legislative amendments to align with EU standards.

“The agri-food sector is a strategic priority for Moldova. Only through clear rules and effective market oversight can we ensure a fair system that promotes innovation and economic development. The Competition Council will continue to actively cooperate with industry stakeholders to foster a healthy competitive environment,” stated Alexei Gherțescu.

The Retail, Distribution & FMCG Market Conference, organized by the online publication Modern Buyer, serves as an important forum for exchanging ideas and solutions for the development and optimization of retail and distribution markets.