The Hungarian Competition Authority does not rule on anti-competitive agreements in the agricultural sector due to a new domestic sectoral exemption (Watermelon cartel)

1. Introduction On 10 April 2013, the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) terminated its competition proceedings concerning anti-competitive agreements against several multinational grocery retail chains as ALDI, Auchan, Lidl, Spar, TESCO and a domestic franchise, CBA as well as the Hungarian Watermelon Association and the Hungarian Fruit and Vegetable Public Body. The reason for the termination was not related to the substantive assessment of the conduct in question, but was rather due to a new amendment to the Hungarian Act on the Regulation of the Agricultural Market, which significantly limited the power of the GVH to enforce the prohibition of anti-competitive agreements in the agricultural sector. 2. The facts / background to the watermelon case On 27 August 2012, the GVH