The National Revision Union of Consumer Cooperatives “Społem” has lodged an official complaint with the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, accusing Lidl and Biedronka of engaging in unfair, predatory butter pricing.
Unfair Competition Allegations
The “Społem” organization formally notified the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) on May 13, 2026, regarding promotional butter prices at Lidl and Biedronka. The complaint alleges that these retail chains are utilizing aggressive sales tactics that may constitute selling below cost, creating an uneven competitive playing field.
Suspicions of Predatory Pricing
Data provided by “Społem” indicates that retail prices for 200g blocks of butter in these discount chains frequently dropped to between 0.99 and 1.99 PLN. This equates to a price range of 4.95 to 9.95 PLN per kilogram. The organization argues these figures are economically unrealistic when factoring in production, storage, transport, and standard margins, which should typically result in a retail price between 4.90 and 6.90 PLN per unit.
Strategic Market Distortion
The complaint highlights that these low prices are often conditional, requiring customers to purchase multiple units or use mobile apps and special coupons. “Społem” suggests these methods are designed to bait customers into stores, which threatens to disrupt long-term market mechanisms.
Potential Market Dominance Concerns
Ryszard Jaśkowski, president of the “Społem” union, warns that smaller market players cannot compete with such pricing policies. The concern is that if smaller entities are forced out of the market, the dominant chains could eventually impose significantly higher prices once they have eliminated their competition.
Regulatory and Official Scrutiny
UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny confirmed that the complaint has been received and that an investigation into the retail pricing of butter is being requested. Beyond UOKiK, copies of the notification have been sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Development and Technology, and the Ombudsman for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.