The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has launched a market investigation into the pricing of food products within Dutch supermarkets.

This inquiry aims to scrutinise the price structures and formations associated with the typical grocery basket purchased by consumers, the regulator said in an official statement.

The investigation was instigated following concerns that the prices of certain food items in the Netherlands are significantly higher than those in neighbouring countries.

Through this investigation, the ACM seeks to better understand the mechanisms behind food pricing in supermarkets and to determine whether any market issues contribute to elevated prices.

Key areas of focus will include the profit margins of food product suppliers, including those of well-known brands, as well as the profit margins realised by supermarkets themselves, the watchdog said.

The investigation will also explore potential reasons for both high and low profit margins.

Additionally, the ACM will compare price discrepancies between food products sold in Dutch supermarkets and those available in other nations.

The inquiry will assess the overall functionality of the food product sector in serving consumers and identify any existing challenges.

The ACM has indicated that it may propose recommendations to the Dutch legislature aimed at addressing any identified issues.

Should the investigation uncover evidence of violations, the regulator intends to take enforcement action.

The findings from this market investigation are expected to be released in the summer of 2026.

In October 2023, the ACM rejected objections filed by technology giant Apple against penalty payments.

The regulator fined the company €50m ($58.82m) for failing to limit the dominant position of Apple’s App Store.

The regulator said that the iPhone manufacturer has complied with most of the regulator’s demands to open its App Store to alternative forms of payment for dating apps in the Netherlands. However, it failed to meet an undisclosed third element of the conditions related to the fines.