CMA gives provisional peck to Boparan’s feed mill deal
The CMA has provisionally cleared Boparan’s acquisition of ForFarmers’ Burston and Radstock feed mill sites following a Phase 2 investigation.
Both Boparan, through its subsidiary 2Agriculture, and ForFarmers are key players in the UK’s poultry feed market.
The CMA’s inquiry found that while Birmingham-based Boparan’s purchase of the Burston feed mill site might reduce the manufacturing capacity for chicken feed in East Anglia, competition will still remain due to other chicken feed providers in the area.
As a result, the inquiry group does not believe the merger would significantly reduce competition.
At the Phase 1 stage, the CMA already cleared Boparan’s acquisition of the Radstock feed mill site, which has since been completed.
Kirstin Baker, chair of the independent inquiry group said: “Having assessed the evidence, we have provisionally found that Boparan’s purchase of ForFarmers’ Burston feed mill does not raise competition concerns. We’re reassured by the evidence which shows that farmers and chicken suppliers in the UK will continue to have options when it comes to choosing chicken feed providers, should the deal go ahead.”
The CMA is now seeking feedback on its interim report until March 11, 2025, with a final decision due by May 13, 2025.
ForFarmers, based in the Netherlands, is a European manufacturer of animal feed, while 2Agriculture supplies poultry feed across the UK.
