Brussels, 07/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 7 June 2013, the European Commission gave the go-ahead to the proposed acquisition of the Cocoa Ingredients Division of Petra Foods Limited of Singapore by Barry Callebaut AG of Switzerland. The Commission examined the competitive effects of the proposed acquisition in the markets for the procurement of cocoa beans and the production and sale of semi-finished cocoa products (cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and cocoa powder) where the parties' activities overlap. The Commission's investigation found that the markets for cocoa products are relatively concentrated, with some major international players, such as ADM and Cargill. However, the Commission's investigation showed that the parties' activities are relatively complementary and that the proposed transaction would not lead to a significant deterioration of competition in the markets concerned. The Commission also examined the vertical relationships between these activities and the market for industrial chocolate, where Barry Callebaut is active, where it found that customers would still have sufficient alternative suppliers in all markets concerned and that the merged entity would continue to face competition from a number of other strong competitors and therefore gave the deal, notified on 26 April 2013, the go-ahead. (FG/transl.fl)