S&E Limited to pay US$100,941 to Malta Dairy for unpaid milk supplies

MALTA – Judge Miriam Hayman of Malta’s Civil Court has ordered S&E Limited to pay Malta Dairy Products Limited a total of US$100,941 (€87,596.10) for outstanding payments relating to milk and related products delivered to the company.

During proceedings, Malta Dairy Products explained that it had supplied S&E Limited with dairy products over several years for use in food production.

However, in recent months, S&E Limited had stopped making payments and accumulated a significant debt. Despite repeated requests and a legal letter sent on 17 November 2023, no payments were forthcoming.

The court noted that S&E Limited had been duly notified of the case but failed to file a sworn reply. In a sitting held on 12 March 2025, one of its directors, Edgar Buttiġieġ, appeared in court and confirmed that the company was not contesting the claim.

The court explained that the defendant’s default does not automatically entitle the claimant to victory; the plaintiff must still provide sufficient evidence to prove the validity of their claim. In this instance, the court found Malta Dairy Products’ evidence to be clear, credible, and uncontested.

Consequently, the court condemned S&E Limited to pay US$101,657 (€87,596.10) to Malta Dairy Products Limited, together with interest at 8% from the date of each invoice until full settlement.

The company was also ordered to cover all court costs, including those related to a precautionary warrant filed jointly with the claim.

Romanian Competition Council raids retailers over unfair practices in dairy supply chain

Recently, the Romanian Competition Council has conducted raids at six major foreign-owned retail chains for alleged unfair commercial practices in the agriculture-food sector.

The action concerned the retailers’ contractual relationships with suppliers of milk and dairy products and forms part of a broader, in-depth investigation into compliance with the law on unfair commercial practices in the agricultural and food supply chain, which transposes a corresponding EU law.

The raids targeted retailers operating across multiple store formats, including cash-and-carry operators and hypermarket operators, as well as an important supermarket chain.

The focus is on their dealings with milk and dairy suppliers, a segment presently under market study by the authority.

National rules govern the commercial relationships between suppliers and buyers of agricultural and food products, setting out prohibitions on unfair commercial practices and defining the reach of its protections.

The rules govern sales executed in Romania and sales conducted abroad where effects are felt on Romanian territory.

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