Jerónimo Martins Polska, owner of Biedronka, investigated for unfair practices
The Katowice-Południe District Prosecutor’s Office is investigating potential fraud and exploitation by Jerónimo Martins Polska, owner of Biedronka, following a complaint by Henryk Kania, former chairman of the meat producer Zakłady Mięsne Henryk Kania.
Kania alleges that between 2016–2019, Biedronka abused its market dominance, forcing uncontracted discounts worth up to PLN 70 million annually, delaying payments beyond EU limits, and charging extra marketing fees — actions he says led to his company’s bankruptcy. The charges involve fraud (Art. 286 §1) and exploitation (Art. 304) of Poland’s penal code.
Kania claims similar practices harmed other suppliers; in 2020, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) fined Jerónimo Martins PLN 506 million for abusing contractual advantage. He urges other affected producers to report abuses to UOKiK.
