Antitrust investigation in rail freight transport concludes, CNA reports

The investigative authority of the National Antitrust Commission (CNA) reported yesterday that it concluded the investigation stage in relation to alleged barriers to competition in various relevant markets for the public rail freight transport service in national territory.

The organization did not disclose its conclusions and limited itself to saying that as of the publication of the preliminary opinion, economic agents, that is, the companies and people involved, will be able to present arguments, evidence and statements.

Subsequently, the CNA plenary session will analyze all the evidence to issue a final resolution aimed at guaranteeing better conditions of competition in said market.

“The CNA will rule on this procedure at the time when all phases of due process are concluded and the final decision of the plenary session is issued.”

He highlighted that public rail freight transportation is a fundamental link in Mexico’s production chains.

“Thanks to this service, large volumes of inputs and products are moved over long distances – food, fuel, construction materials, vehicles and consumer goods – which directly impacts production costs and, therefore, the final prices paid by Mexican families.”

It was in January 2024 when the still called Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece) announced an investigation into possible barriers to participation in the public freight transportation service market, arguing the “absence of conditions” in that sector, which mobilizes a quarter of the total merchandise transported by land in the country.

The then Cofece did not mention at the time, nor now, the name of the companies involved; However, large companies such as Canadian Pacific, Kansas City and Grupo México Transportes operate in this sector.