Agricultural cooperatives: the Autorité de la concurrence clears the merger of the cooperative groups Euralis and Maïsadour, subject to certain commitments
Following an investigation in which the Autorité consulted various third parties (farmers, competitors, food retailers, etc.), the proposed merger between the cooperative groups Euralis and Maïsadour has been cleared. However, the clearance decision is subject to three sets of commitments proposed by the parties to address the risks of harm to competition resulting from the merger in the markets for fattened ducks, cereal, oilseed and protein crop collection, and animal nutrition.
Thanks to ongoing dialogue with the companies, the Autorité was able to complete its investigation, following the decision by the two cooperative groups in August 2023 to withdraw their plan to create a joint venture in the fattened duck sector.
The Autorité de la concurrence has cleared the merger between Euralis and Maïsadour. This decision reflects the pragmatism, trust and constructive dialogue that have characterised our engagement with stakeholders over recent months. The transaction shows that, with concrete, targeted and tailored commitments, agricultural cooperatives can merge, while preserving the effective functioning of competition across the entire agricultural and agri-food value chain, from primary production through to consumers.