Competition Bureau confirms investigation into alleged blueberry price fixing

Cartons of wild blueberries are for sale at a roadside stand in Woolwich, Maine on July 27, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Robert F. Bukaty

OTTAWA -- Canada's competition regulator has confirmed it is investigating allegations of anti-competitive conduct in the wild blueberry industry.

Spokeswoman Veronique Aupry said the federal Competition Bureau is currently gathering evidence to determine the facts.

She said there has been no conclusion of wrongdoing and no charges have been laid.

The North Eastern N.B. Wild Blueberry Growers Association says it has been told the investigation is focused on complaints concerning prices paid by processing companies for blueberries produced in the Maritimes.

Association president Louis-Philippe McGraw welcomed the investigation, suggesting it could put an end to long-running suspicions by berry growers about how prices are set.

He urged all growers to cooperate with the federal agency.

Editor's note: In an Apr. 6 story, The Canadian Press erroneously said the North Eastern New Brunswick Wild Blueberry Growers Association president Louis-Philippe McGraw suggested a Competition Bureau investigation into price-fixing could put an end to long-running suspicions by berry producers about how prices are set. In fact, the long-running suspicions were among berry growers.