Mowi: EU salmon cartel case, 2024 Statement of Objections and private damages claims
Mowi: EU salmon cartel case, 2024 Statement of Objections and private damages claims: a public-record watch file compiled by Falling Shares Intelligence from filings and exchange disclosures, as of 2026-11-09. The European Commission carried out unannounced inspections of salmon producers in February 2019 and in January 2024 sent six producers, Mowi among them, a Statement of Objections over alleged collusion on spot sales of Norwegian salmon.
From the Commission's February 2019 inspections to its January 2024 Statement of Objections, US class settlements without admission and UK damages claims: what the record shows and what Mowi says.
Falling Shares Intelligence, Edited by Wung Thomas, Editor-in-Chief. As of .
Summary
- The European Commission carried out unannounced inspections of salmon producers in February 2019 and in January 2024 sent six producers, Mowi among them, a Statement of Objections over alleged collusion on spot sales of Norwegian salmon.
- Mowi says it strongly believes there has been no infringement; the Commission has said an objections statement does not prejudge the outcome.
- Producers settled US class actions for $85m (direct purchasers) and $33m (indirect purchasers) without admitting liability; UK damages claims are pending. This desk found no Commission decision or fine as of 9 November 2026.
Key figures
| Alleged period | 2011-2019 (Commission's preliminary view, spot sales of Norwegian salmon in the EU) |
|---|---|
| US direct purchaser settlement | $85m (All settling producers combined, no admission; approved Sep 2022) |
| UK consumer claim | £382m (Filed at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in June 2024; pending) |
The European Commission case
Unannounced inspections
Fortune reported that the Commission carried out unannounced inspections at salmon producers, calling them a preliminary investigatory step that does not establish guilt. Mowi confirmed it was inspected, and a spokesman said it had nothing to hide and was cooperating. (19 Feb 2019)
Statement of Objections to six producers
The Commission said it had informed Cermaq, Grieg Seafood, Bremnes, Lerøy, Mowi and SalMar of its preliminary view that they breached EU antitrust rules by colluding on spot sales of Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon in the EU between 2011 and 2019, including by exchanging commercially sensitive information such as prices and volumes. Fines of up to 10% of worldwide turnover are possible if an infringement is found. (25 Jan 2024)
Oral hearing
Trade press reported that the Commission held a three-day oral hearing in Brussels at which the producers could respond to the objections. The producers have denied the accusations. (Sep 2024)
Status of the case
This desk found no reported Commission decision, fine, settlement or commitments decision in case AT.40606 up to 9 November 2026. The matter is therefore described as pending. (9 Nov 2026)
Private damages claims
US direct purchaser class action settled
Mowi and four other producers agreed in May 2022 to pay $85m to settle the direct purchasers' class action in the Southern District of Florida. The court approved it in September 2022. (May-Sep 2022)
US indirect purchaser class action settled
A companion indirect purchaser case against Mowi and other producers settled for $33m, and a judge granted final approval on 27 February 2023, according to the Top Class Actions listing. (27 Feb 2023)
UK consumer claim at the Competition Appeal Tribunal
A law firm filed a £382m collective claim for UK consumers against Mowi and Mowi Holdings, SalMar, Lerøy, Scottish Sea Farms and Grieg. (Jun 2024)
UK supermarkets file damages claims
A group of UK supermarkets filed damages claims in the UK against Norwegian producers including Lerøy, according to Salmon Business. The report did not state the amount or report a Mowi response; Lerøy later called the claims unfounded. (Feb 2024)
Mowi's position
Mowi denies infringement
Mowi said it strongly believes there has been no infringement of the competition rules, that the Statement of Objections is not a final decision and does not prejudge the outcome, and that it would reply in writing. (25 Jan 2024)
Standard
This file compiles regulator and court documents, company statements and published reporting about Mowi ASA. Allegations are attributed to those who made them. An investigation is not a charge, a charge is not a finding, and nothing here is a finding of wrongdoing unless a competent authority has made one. A Statement of Objections is the Commission's preliminary view, not a decision. Mowi denies any infringement of the competition rules and settled the US class actions without admitting liability. Individuals are not named unless an official document names them and they are central; otherwise roles are used. This is news coverage for information only, not investment advice.
Right of reply
Mowi ASA, and anyone named in a record cited here, can send corrections or comments to info@fallingshares.com (or directly to the Editor-in-Chief, Wung Thomas, at wungthomas@fallingshares.com). Material responses will be published alongside the relevant entry.