New regulations for retailers in Romania raise concerns

Romania’s Competition Council doesn’t oppose the law draft that may force local hypermarkets and supermarkets to sell at least 51% local food products, but doubts that such a measure can be implemented because there aren’t enough local suppliers. “The Competition Council doesn’t oppose this law project as we understand that fresh product consumption comes first. We also understand that the local producers must be supported, but I don’t know if this is the best solution,” said Daniela Badila, the Competition Council’s general director, reports local Profit.ro. “We wonder if local producers can supply 51% of the products sold in local stores and if the consumers won’t be affected in the end,” she added. “Then there’s the question: what is a Romanian product? Is it enough that it is produced in Romania or should the company that produces it also have Romanian capital?” Badila also said. A group of social-democrat MPs initiated a law draft that imposes to local supermarket and hypermarket chains to get at least 51% of the products they sell from a “short supply chain”, local or regional. The project is currently under analysis at the Parliament’s agriculture committee. The local retailers oppose this law draft. They claim that the new rules will determine some international retailers to close their stores, which would lead to layoffs in the sector and higher food prices. editor@romania-insider.com