Finance

Britain clears Greencore, Bakkavor's $1.6-billion food group merger

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on December 17, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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Dec 17 (Reuters) - Britain's competition regulator has cleared the proposed 1.2-billion-pound ($1.61 billion) merger between convenience food manufacturers Greencore and Bakkavor on Wednesday,

UK Regulator Approves Greencore and Bakkavor's $1.6B Merger

Dec ‌17 (Reuters) - Britain's competition regulator has ‍cleared ‌the proposed 1.2-billion-pound ($1.61 billion) merger between ⁠convenience food ‌manufacturers Greencore and Bakkavor on Wednesday, scrapping an in-depth probe into the ⁠companies.

The Competition and Markets Authority, which launched ​its probe into the deal ‌in September, said ⁠it had accepted undertakings from the companies to address its ​competition concerns. 

Bakkavor's retail customers include Tesco, M&S and Waitrose, while Greencore supplies to all major UK ​supermarkets.

In ‍a separate ​statement on Wednesday, Greencore and Bakkavor said the deal is now expected to be completed by January 16. 

Upon completion of the deal, ⁠Greencore shareholders will hold roughly 56% of the ​combined entity, while Bakkavor shareholders are expected to own the remaining 44%.  

($1 = 0.7473 pounds)

(Reporting ‌by DhanushVignesh Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

Key Takeaways

  • UK regulator clears Greencore and Bakkavor's merger.
  • The merger is valued at $1.6 billion.
  • CMA accepted undertakings to address competition concerns.
  • Completion expected by January 16.
  • Greencore shareholders to hold 56% of the new entity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a merger?
A merger is a business combination where two companies join to form a single entity, often to enhance competitiveness, increase market share, or achieve synergies.
What are retail customers?
Retail customers are individuals or households that purchase goods and services for personal use rather than for resale or commercial purposes.
What are competition concerns?
Competition concerns arise when a merger or acquisition may reduce competition in a market, potentially leading to higher prices, reduced quality, or less innovation.
What is market share?
Market share is the percentage of an industry's sales that a particular company controls, indicating its competitiveness and market presence.

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