The Latvian competition authority has highlighted a significant issue among food suppliers in the EU, where fear of commercial retaliation prevents them from reporting unfair trade practices. This concern is exacerbated by a lack of knowledge about the enforcement bodies responsible for handling such complaints.

A survey conducted by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development in late 2024 found that while two-thirds of respondents were aware of the EU Directive on unfair trading practices, only about half knew the appropriate enforcement agencies to contact. The survey included 434 participants from various EU member states, with a notable representation from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

The survey results indicated that the most common unfair practices faced by suppliers included extended payment terms, unilateral contract changes, and demands for payments unrelated to sales. Retail and wholesale sectors were identified as the most affected by these practices.

Respondents cited fear of retaliation from buyers as the primary reason for not reporting unfair practices, along with the perception that such practices are common in the industry. Many suppliers also felt that enforcement agencies would be ineffective in addressing their issues.

The competition authority encourages suppliers to report instances of unfair trading practices, as these are prohibited under the EU regulations. The authority emphasizes the importance of awareness and action to combat these issues within the agricultural and food supply chain.