The Italian Competition Authority (ICA) decision on the Pricing of Pasta cartel case well illustrates the increasing importance of competition law for food producers as an element of their market environment. In fact, the decision sanctioned pasta makers for having adopted a common pricing policy, with the aim of counteracting the strong buyer power of retailers in negotiating terms for the supply of pasta in a situation of increasing production costs. However, the ICA granted fine reductions to many convicted companies for their inability to pay heavier fines due to the tough market conditions prevailing in the pasta industry.