Commission concludes that acquisition of the two breeding companies does not raise competition concerns
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Special New Fruit Licensing Holding Company (SNFL) and International Fruit Genetics (IFG) by AMFresh and Swedish private equity fund manager EQT.
The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns. While the companies compete in a variety of patented table grapes, they will continue to face several international and regional players in the EU.
Moreover, the Commission found that the companies will have no incentives to discontinue any grape variety or to decrease quality or research and development efforts after the transaction.
The Commission further concluded that AMFresh would have no ability or incentive to engage in foreclosure practices against table grapes’ breeders nor growers.
The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure. In the framework of its investigation, the European Commission cooperated with the US Authorities.
While the companies operate globally, the markets for table grapes varieties are different across Europe and the US.
