UPDATE 1-German cartel office raids coffee makers

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Germany's cartel office said onThursday it had raided several coffee roasters on suspicion ofprice fixing.

The office was investigating suspicions that retail price collusionhad taken place between coffee companies possibly since 2004, aspokeswoman for the agency said.

The spokeswoman declined to name the companies involved.

However, Munich-based coffee roaster Dallmayr said it had beenvisited by agency investigators.

"Yes, there has been a search of our offices as has taken place atall large roasters," a Dallmayr spokeswoman said. "We are workingfully and totally with the authorities to clear up theallegations."

She added that German retail prices for coffee were at a very lowlevel.

Germany's largest roaster Tchibo also said it had been visited bycartel office officials. A Tchibo spokesman said the officials "hadasked questions" and that Tchibo would fully cooperate ininvestigations.

No comment was immediately available from Germany's second largestroaster, the German unit of U.S. group Kraft (KFT.N: Quote , Profile , Research ), or from the third largest, privately-owned Melitta.

Hamburg-based Darboven said it had not been visited byinvestigators.