A delegate of the European Parliament believes the drastically icnreased prices for wine bottles may be indicative of price collusion, and has requested the EU Commission to investigate.

Der deutsche Abgeordnete des Europäischen Parlaments, Werner Langen (CDU), has requested the Commission of the European Union to initiate investigations speedily into the question of the increased prices for bottles. Wine producers all over Europe are suffering as a consequence of the drastic price increases implemented by the glass manufaturers. Last year, the prices for wine bottles had already increased by almost a third, which led to a complaint being filed by the European Association of Wine and Spirits Merchants. The EU is now called upon to clarify with all due speed whether the increases are related to illegal collusion. Critics claim that several of the few remaining producers had reduced production at the same time as they increased the prices.

Today, the European market for wine bottles is dominated by only three companies: Owens-Illinois, Saint Gobain and Ardagh Glass have stated that the reason for the price increases lies mainly in the increased energy costs and the higher prices for raw materials for glass production. However, some experts doubt these are the only true reasons for the increases. (WF)