The Croatian Administrative Court (VUSRH) ruled on December 17, 2025, dismissing the lawsuit filed by the Croatian Hunting Association (HLS) and upheld the decision of the Croatian Competition Agency (AZTN) from December 23, 2024. The AZTN had determined that the HLS engaged in anti-competitive behavior by applying predatory pricing.

According to the AZTN's ruling, from January 1, 2022, to March 31, 2024, the HLS disrupted market competition in the training services for hunters in Croatia by setting a price of 400 HRK (500 HRK including VAT), which was below the cost of providing the service. This pricing strategy was deemed to be a misuse of its dominant position.

The AZTN found that the HLS used profits from its monopolistic activities to subsidize the training service, aiming to eliminate competitors and strengthen its market power, thus violating Article 13(1) of the Competition Act.

The ruling included a prohibition on further actions described in the decision, a fine of 89,935.20 EUR, and required the establishment of separate accounting for costs between the training market and other monopolistic markets. The HLS was also mandated to implement a transparent transfer pricing system within four months, with daily fines for non-compliance.

The VUSRH confirmed the legality of the AZTN's decision, stating that the factual situation was correctly established and that the evidence was thoroughly examined. The court agreed that the price set by the HLS was below the service costs, constituting predatory pricing aimed at eliminating effective competitors from the market.

With the VUSRH's ruling, the AZTN's decision from December 23, 2024, has become final.