The Case
The Investigation
The European Commission is investigating alleged anticompetitive conduct by several major Norwegian salmon producers in the market for spot sales of Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon in the EU. The companies concerned include Grieg Seafood, Lerøy Seafood Group, Mowi, SalMar, Cermaq and Bremnes Seashore.
According to the Commission's preliminary findings, the alleged conduct took place between 2011 and 2019 and involved the exchange of commercially sensitive information relating to prices, sales volumes, available volumes, production volumes, production capacities and other price-setting factors.
The case focuses on fresh, whole and gutted Atlantic salmon farmed in Norway. Because spot prices can serve as an important reference point in salmon pricing, commercial buyers that purchased Norwegian salmon during the relevant period may have been affected by inflated prices.
The European Commission has not yet issued a final infringement decision, but its Statement of Objections represents an important procedural step and provides the basis for affected businesses to begin assessing whether they may have suffered financial harm.
Claims & Compensation
The alleged conduct has already resulted in legal claims and settlements outside the EU.
In the United States, direct purchasers of farm-raised Atlantic salmon brought class-action claims against several Norwegian salmon producers. In 2022, an $85 million settlement was approved, resolving the claims after years of litigation. The settlement covered direct purchasers, while the producers denied wrongdoing and settled without admitting liability.
In the United Kingdom, several major retailers—including Asda, Marks & Spencer, Aldi, Morrisons, Iceland, Ocado and the Co-operative Group—have also pursued damages claims against Norwegian salmon producers. A separate consumer class action has additionally been brought on behalf of UK consumers who allegedly overpaid for farmed Atlantic salmon.
These proceedings demonstrate that purchasers of Norwegian salmon may have grounds to seek compensation where they suffered losses as a result of the alleged conduct.
The Investigation
Salmon is a high-volume product for many European retailers, wholesalers, distributors and food-service companies. If spot market prices for Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon were affected between 2011 and 2019, businesses purchasing salmon during that period may have paid more than they would have under normal competitive market conditions.
Although the European Commission has not yet reached a final decision, companies that purchased Norwegian salmon during the relevant period may already benefit from reviewing their purchasing records and assessing whether they have a potential claim.
With LitFin's support, potentially affected businesses can evaluate their position and, where appropriate, pursue compensation through a fully funded and professionally managed claims process.
Start your claim today and recieve the support you need
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after registration?
After registration, we will contact you to explain the case and request basic purchase information. You will sign a confidentiality agreement and provide data on your salmon purchases.
Our experts will assess the potential damage and prepare a claim. If you agree to proceed, you’ll sign an Assignment Agreement.
We then handle the case and keep you updated until it’s resolved—either by settlement or court judgement.
What documents do you need from us?
To estimate potential overcharges, we need basic data on your salmon purchases. Please provide annual purchase volumes (quantities and values if possible) for 2018, 2019, and 2020. Let us know whether you bought on the spot market, under long-term contracts, or both. Tell us if you purchased fresh, frozen, or both types of salmon, and whether it was primarily processed (e.g. gutted) or secondarily processed (e.g. filleted, smoked, marinated). Optionally, let us know if you would pass on a 10% supplier price increase to your customers—and by how much.
For which purchases can we claim?
You can claim for purchases of Atlantic farmed salmon or salmon products made between 2010 and 2020.
According to the European Commission, the salmon cartel affected the market from at least 2011 to 2019. However, we recommend including purchases from 2010 (as a reference year) and 2020 (as the first year after the cartel ended) to allow for a full comparative analysis and more accurate damage estimation.
Eligible products include fresh or frozen salmon, whether primary processed (e.g. gutted only) or secondary processed (e.g. filleted, portioned, smoked, marinated, etc.).
When will I receive the money?
If you decide to finance your dispute, the exact duration cannot be determined. It depends on the speed of the court and any out-of-court settlement. The approximate duration of the dispute can range from 3 to 5 years.
What types of salmon products are covered?
The claim covers purchases of Atlantic farmed salmon and related products, including:
- Fresh or frozen salmon
- Primary processed (e.g. slaughtered and gutted)
- Secondary processed (e.g. filleted, portioned, smoked, marinated, etc.)
If you are unsure whether your products qualify, feel free to contact us and we will assess it for you.
We purchased salmon under a long-term contract. Can I still join?
Yes. The cartel affected both spot market and contractual prices. Even if you had a fixed-price agreement, the baseline market price may have been distorted due to anti-competitive behaviour.
How much does it cost to join?
There are no upfront costs. All legal and expert fees are fully financed by LitFin. In the event of a successful outcome, a success fee is deducted from the awarded compensation or settlement. If the case is lost, you pay nothing.
What is the salmon cartel case about?
The case concerns alleged anticompetitive conduct by several Norwegian salmon producers. On 25 January 2024, the European Commission issued a Statement of Objections setting out its preliminary view that these companies may have exchanged commercially sensitive information between 2011 and 2019, including information related to prices, volumes and other price-setting factors.
Why should my company consider acting now?
Collecting historical purchasing data going back to 2010 takes time, and starting early allows the legal and economic groundwork to be laid efficiently. Competition law damage claims are also subject to limitation periods that vary by jurisdiction — delay always carries the risk of reducing the time available for proper preparation. Requesting a preliminary assessment creates no obligation, but it does protect your company's ability to make an informed decision before the window narrows.