Lactalis Acquisition of Puleva Dairy Cleared
The European Commission has cleared the proposed acquisition by the French group Lactalis of Spanish group Ebro Puleva’s dairy business. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in Europe or Spain.
Lactalis manufactures and sells milk and dairy products, including a wide range of cheese, desserts and cream, in roughly 150 countries, under its own brand names and under those of distributors. Via its subsidiary, Lactalis Iberia, Lactalis operates on the Spanish market, where it sells cheese and long-life milk
Ebro Puleva produces and sells rice, pasta, sauces and dairy products.
The Commission’s investigation concerned the supply of raw cow’s milk in Spain and the downstream markets of sales of basic long-life milk, flavoured milk, health drinks, liquid cream and ‘horchata’, a drink made from tiger nuts.
The Eur630m deal increases Lactalis Group’s sales in Spain to Eur1.2b and consolidates its standing as one of the world’s leading dairy companies. Having last year disposed of its sugar business to Associated British Foods for Eur526m, Ebro Puleva is now focused on its rice and pasta activities.
