On Monday 30 July, the European Commission approved the joint takeover of Dole by Total Produce, subject to the divestment of Dole's bagged salad business in Sweden.
Both companies are fresh produce distributors in the European Union. When the transaction was notified to the Commission on 11 June of this year, it expressed concerns that it would create a competition distortion on the market for the supply of bagged salad in Sweden, as the merged entity would have had only one significant rival on this market segment, Salico, and would not have been under sufficient competitive pressure.
However, the institution noted no competition problems on the other market segments in which both companies are active, specifically the supply of bananas, pineapples and other fresh fruits and vegetables.
The two companies therefore proposed to divest Saba Fresh Cuts AB, Dole's bagged salad arm in Sweden, to an external company. Subject to strict compliance with this commitment, the Commission therefore considered that the future transaction was compatible with EU merger law. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)