The Namibian Competition Commission has launched an investigation into Namib Mills and Namib Poultry Industry for allegedly limiting market access for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises by refusing to supply certain poultry products. 

The investigation, which is being conducted under Section 33 of the Namibian Competition Act No. 2 of 2003, comes after the commission received information that the companies were restricting access to products, such as soup packs, giblets, necks (bulk), hearts, gizzards, necks (pre-pack), heads and feet, cleaned feet, liver tubs, mala, livers (bulk) and breast bones.

“The information proposes that these products are reserved for more established and preferred clients. The information submitted to the commission further alleges that Namib Mills and NPI hold a dominant position in the relevant market, which is provisionally defined as the market for the production and supply of poultry products, including those categorised as Tertiary Range products,” said the director of Enforcement, Exemptions and Cartels Division, Paulus Hangula.

In a statement, Hangula said the commission’s investigation aims to determine whether the conduct of refusal to supply certain poultry products to some MSMEs is one that contravenes the Act. 

As part of its investigation, the commission has resolved to conduct public consultations with all known MSMEs. 

“The commission will be scheduling meetings in the coming days with all known MSMEs to get their valued input into the investigation. In any event, all interested parties (consumers, poultry product importers/exporters, distributors and retailers) are welcome to approach the commission on their own accord as part of the consultation process,” the statement further reads.

New Era could not obtain a comment from Namib Mills (Pty) Ltd and Namib Poultry Industry (Pty) Ltd at the time of going to print.