Watchdog investigates deal between Ter Beke and Imperial Meat

The Belgian competition watchdog is investigating Ter Beke‘s takeover of Imperial Meat, producer of Aoste and Marcassou. Further investigation may also follow in the Netherlands.

Need for more investigation

At the end of last year, lasagna and deli meats producer Ter Beke announced a major new takeover: the company bought the Dutch and Belgian departments of the Mexican group Sigma. Thus, in Belgium Imperial Meat, known for the brands Aoste and Marcassou, and in the Netherlands Stegeman came into the hands of meat processor Ter Beke. Or at least that was the intention.

The Belgian Antitrust Authority is now launching an additional investigation into the takeover, according to De Tijd. After all, the deal will make Ter Beke a dominant player in the meat products sector. Imperial Meat has five Belgian production facilities and a turnover of 230 million euro. The competition watchdog might demand concessions to curb the dominant position, such as the sale of certain brands or sites.

More research will be conducted in the coming months. Ter Beke reports that the company is cooperating with the authorities and warns that further investigation can also be expected in the Netherlands. After all, the buyer has filed a dossier with the Dutch competition authority as well.