A major scandal is unfolding in Tarragona as the local court opens an investigation into several companies connected to the supply of olive oil and nuts for the American retailer Costco. The probe was prompted by a complaint from Griñó Ecològic, which claims competitors have launched an orchestrated media attack against the company. According to the plaintiff, this goes beyond just negative press coverage—it’s a targeted campaign aimed at swaying court and government decisions, ultimately jeopardizing multimillion-euro contracts.
At the center of the controversy is a documentary released in 2023. Griñó Ecològic alleges that the filmmakers deliberately cast the company in a negative light, associating it with criminal schemes and violations in waste management. As a result, according to the plaintiff, not only were there official inspections and criminal proceedings, but also the suspension of key contracts and stricter regulatory requirements. Representatives of Griñó Ecològic say all this has dealt a significant blow to their business.
Funding and motives
The court must now determine who was behind the creation and promotion of the controversial documentary. Companies named in the case include Certified Origins Ibérica and Candor Capital. The plaintiff claims these entities funded the film, actively distributed it, and organized public events focused on its subject matter. Whether their actions were part of a coordinated effort to discredit a competitor remains an open question.
Interestingly, the complaint also mentions international cases. Some of the companies now under the scrutiny of the Spanish court have previously faced similar issues abroad. For example, Certified Origins supplied Kirkland Signature products to Costco, and in 2013, the US FDA detained one of their shipments of olive oil. That incident had serious consequences for the company’s business in the US.
Market under pressure
The situation in Tarragona is not just a private dispute between companies. At stake are the reputation of an entire sector and trust in food suppliers. If the allegations are confirmed, the consequences could be significant—from renegotiated contracts to increased inspections and tighter regulatory controls. However, it’s too early to talk about those at fault—the court has only begun to examine the details of the case.
At the same time, the mere existence of such accusations is already having an effect on the market. Companies supplying major retail chains now have to prove their transparency and spotless business reputation. Any shadow of suspicion can lead to a loss of trust from partners and clients, and ultimately to real financial losses.
International context
The investigation in Tarragona fits into a broader context. In recent years, issues of transparency and ethics in the agri-food sector have become increasingly pressing. International scandals related to the quality and origin of products have repeatedly led to high-profile lawsuits and multimillion-euro fines. Spanish companies working in export are especially sensitive to such risks.
In this case, references to the past legal troubles of some participants only fuel public interest. It is possible that the investigation in Tarragona could become a reason for new inspections beyond Spain’s borders. For now, however, all parties are refraining from public comment, awaiting the court’s decision.
Unanswered questions
It remains unclear how well-founded the accusations against Griñó Ecològic are, and whether the scandalous film was indeed the result of a coordinated attack by competitors. The court will have to question representatives of all the companies involved, analyze financial flows, and determine who could have been interested in discrediting one of the market players—and why.
One thing is clear: the case in Tarragona has already become a topic of discussion among industry professionals and could influence the balance of power in the food supply sector. Issues of transparency, competition, and ethics are once again coming to the forefront, and businesses can only wait—and hope the court gets to the bottom of this complicated story.
