Latest news with #Bundeskartellamt
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Premium Food Group appeals Germany watchdog's Vion deal ruling
Germany's Premium Food Group is to try and overturn the rejection of its move to buy factory assets from fellow meat major Vion. Last month, Germany's competition authority blocked Premium Food Group's bid to acquire plant assets in the country owned by Netherlands-based peer Vion. The Bundeskartellamt said the deal would hit farmers and smaller rivals. Vion began a round of meat-asset closures in Germany in 2023 and later announced a plan to exit the market completely. It formed an agreement in January last year with Premium Food Group for two of its plants followed by more in September of that year. The planned disposals included slaughterhouses in Buchloe, Crailsheim and Waldkraiburg, along with a deboning facility in Hilden and two hide-processing plants in Memmingen and Eching-Weixerau. Premium Food Group wants the Higher Regional Court in Düsseldorf to review the decision. The company is also considering further steps, including applying for ministerial authorisation from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. 'We not only believe that the assessment of our market position is inaccurate but we also see an overriding public interest at stake,' Premium Food Group said in a statement. 'This matter concerns nothing less than the future of sustainable livestock farming in southern Germany. Since the Federal Cartel Office's negative ruling, we have received numerous urgent appeals from farmers and other stakeholders expressing their dismay and concern. We therefore feel it is our duty to have our sustainable long-term concept for agriculture and the acquisition targets – as well as our commitment to substantial investment – reviewed, if necessary, at the ministerial level. However, we remain hopeful that a mutually satisfactory solution can be found for all parties involved.' Providing further details on its decision, the Bundeskartellamt said in June it had asked for feedback from competitors and meat customers in Germany. The organisation said it had 'reached the conclusion that the merger would result in the creation or strengthening of a dominant position for [Premium Food Group] in several regional slaughter markets in southern and eastern Germany'. It said Vion was the 'market leader' in cattle slaughtering in southern Germany, Premium Food Group would hold over 40% market share in the Buchloe, Waldkraiburg and Kempten catchment areas, 'far exceeding' smaller competitors, the Bundeskartellamt added. The merger would also strengthen Premium Food Group's dominance in pig slaughtering in the Weißenfels area by adding Crailsheim, whose catchment area overlaps, the regulator added. In March, Bundeskartellamt said it sent a statement of objections to Premium Food Group and Vion outlining the competition concerns. Then in April, the companies proposed divestment and leasing of facilities to designated acquirers to address concerns, the regulator added. However, it rejected those commitments as 'not capable' of preventing Tönnies' dominance. "Premium Food Group appeals Germany watchdog's Vion deal ruling" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Local Germany
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Local Germany
Why it pays to exit the Autobahn to refuel in Germany
Fuel costs are about 40 cents more per litre on average at highway petrol stations than at those on side streets, according to a recent analysis by Germany's largest motorist club (ADAC). At the beginning of the summer travel season, the ADAC looked at fuel prices at a sample of petrol stations across the country and found that the difference in prices between stations on the highway versus those on smaller roads have grown compared to previous years. In this year's sample of 50 pairs of petrol stations, the average price difference came to just under 44 cents per litre for premium E10 petrol, and more than 42 cents for diesel. Analysis by the Bundeskartellamt, Germany's financial competition authority, recently came to a similar figure of around 40 cents. For a vehicle with a 50 litre tank, the difference in the cost to fill up would be around €20. READ ALSO: Why it's illegal to run out of fuel on the German Autobahn Everything you need to carry in your car while driving in Germany Fuel price differences vary between specific stations and even through the different hours of the day, because stations update and change their prices often. The highest price difference between fuel prices at a highway station versus a nearby station on a smaller road that the ADAC found was 57 cents. The lowest was a mere 0.9 cents. Overall, however, there were differences of at least 30 cents for E10 at 90 percent of the filling stations, and for diesel at 88 percent of the filling stations. Advertisement "A certain understandable," the ADAC said in a statement, but it criticised the large price differences overall. The ADAC advises drivers to avoid the petrol stations on the motorways whenever possible: "A short detour is practically always worth it." Other ways to save money on fuel include filling up in the evening when prices tend to be lower. For international trips, it is often - but not always - cheaper to fill up behind the border than in Germany. COMPARE: Is it cheaper to fill your fuel tank in Germany or across the border? Useful vocabulary: Highway / motorway - (die) Autobahn petrol - gasoline - (das) Benzin petrol station - (die) Tankstelle diesel - (der) Diesel / Dieselkraftstoff With reporting by DPA.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
German watchdog blocks Tönnies takeover of Vion meat assets
Germany's competition authority has blocked the acquisition by local meat processor Tönnies of a number of plant assets in the country owned by Netherlands-based peer Vion. Of particular concern are the Vion slaughterhouses in Buchloe, Crailsheim and Waldkraiburg, the Bundeskartellamt said in a statement yesterday (12 June). Andreas Mundt, the president of the Bundeskartellamt anti-trust body said: "The takeover of Vion's facilities raised competition concerns as it would have strengthened Tönnies' market position to the detriment of the farmers and smaller competitors remaining in the regions affected. In addition to its already dominant position in the pig slaughtering and processing industry in Germany, Tönnies would also have gained a leading position in the slaughter and processing of cattle. "The takeover would reduce options for producers and customers to switch to alternative companies, thus expanding the Tönnies Group's market position and scope of action. It would also have brought disadvantages to buyers of slaughter products throughout Germany.' Vion began a round of meat-asset closures in Germany in 2023 and later announced a plan to exit the market completely. It formed an agreement in January last year with Tönnies for two of its plants followed by more in September of that year. The planned disposals included slaughterhouses in Buchloe, Crailsheim, and Waldkraiburg, along with a deboning facility in Hilden, and two hide-processing plants in Memmingen and Eching-Weixerau. In reaction to the Bundeskartellamt, a Tönnies spokesperson said in a statement sent to Just Food: 'We are deeply disappointed by this decision.' The company added it is 'reviewing' the authority's reasoning and 'will then decide on possible legal remedies". Providing further details on its decision, the Bundeskartellamt said it had asked for feedback from competitors and meat customers in Germany, and had "reached the conclusion that the merger would result in the creation or strengthening of a dominant position for Tönnies in several regional slaughter markets in southern and eastern Germany". It added that Vion was the 'market leader' in cattle slaughtering in southern Germany. Post-acquisition, Tönnies would hold over 40% market share in the Buchloe, Waldkraiburg and Kempten catchment areas, 'far exceeding' smaller competitors. The merger would also strengthen Tönnies' dominance in pig slaughtering in the Weißenfels area by adding Crailsheim, whose catchment area overlaps, the regulator added. In March, Bundeskartellamt said it sent a statement of objections to Tönnies and Vion outlining the competition concerns. Then in April, the companies proposed divestment and leasing of facilities to designated acquirers to address concerns, the regulator added. However, it rejected those commitments as 'not capable' of preventing Tönnies' dominance. The decision announced yesterday is not final and can be appealed to the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court, Bundeskartellamt said. "German watchdog blocks Tönnies takeover of Vion meat assets" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Arabian Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Amazon Faces German Scrutiny Over Marketplace Pricing Practices
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Germany's antitrust authority, the Bundeskartellamt, has issued a formal warning to Amazon regarding its pricing policies on the Amazon Marketplace. The watchdog contends that Amazon's mechanisms for controlling third-party sellers' prices may infringe upon both national and European Union competition laws. The Bundeskartellamt's concerns centre on Amazon's use of algorithms and policies that potentially penalise third-party sellers for setting prices deemed too high. Such penalties could include demotion in search rankings or outright removal of products from the platform. The authority argues that these practices may constitute an abuse of market dominance, restricting fair competition and consumer choice. ADVERTISEMENT This development follows the Bundeskartellamt's designation of Amazon as an entity of 'paramount significance for competition across markets' under Section 19a of the German Competition Act. This classification subjects Amazon to heightened regulatory scrutiny and obligations to ensure competitive fairness. In response to the ongoing investigation, the Bundeskartellamt conducted a survey in September 2024 involving 2,000 third-party retailers. The survey aimed to assess the impact of Amazon's pricing policies on sellers' behaviour and market dynamics. Preliminary findings suggest that Amazon's practices may deter sellers from offering competitive prices, thereby limiting market diversity. Amazon has previously defended its pricing policies, asserting that they are designed to prevent price gouging and protect consumers. However, the Bundeskartellamt maintains that such justifications do not exempt the company from adhering to competition laws. The European Commission is also monitoring Amazon's practices, particularly in light of the Digital Markets Act , which seeks to regulate large online platforms and prevent anti-competitive behaviour. Under the DMA, companies designated as 'gatekeepers' are prohibited from favouring their own services or imposing unfair conditions on business users. The outcome of the Bundeskartellamt's investigation could have significant implications for Amazon's operations in Germany and potentially across the European Union. If found in violation of competition laws, Amazon may face substantial fines and be required to alter its business practices to promote fair competition.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
German bakery major Harry-Brot gets OK to buy Rewe plant
German bakery group Harry-Brot has secured approval from competition officials to buy a factory from major grocer Rewe. Harry-Brot has acquired the Glockenbrot Bergkirchen bakery from Rewe for an undisclosed sum. The approximately 320 staff at the site will move to Harry-Brot, a spokesperson told Just Food. In its statement, Germany's Federal Cartel Office, the Bundeskartellamt, said the deal 'will only result in minor competitive changes for the other market participants' in the country's bakery sector. Glockenbrot, which has been a part of Rewe since 1986, has produced private-label bread and baked goods for the retailer at two sites – one in Bergkirchen and the other in Frankfurt. Before striking a deal to sell the Bergkirchen to Harry-Brot, Rewe had decided to close the factory in Frankfurt. Harry-Brot produces bread and baked goods from ten plants in Germany. It generated sales of around €1.3bn ($1.48bn) in its 2024 fiscal year. Andreas Mundt, president of the Bundeskartellamt, explained the 'decisive factor' in its assessment was that Glockenbrot had so far produced 'exclusively' for Rewe within the group. "Harry-Brot is by far the leading manufacturer of bread and baked goods in Germany. The planned acquisition of the Rewe subsidiary Glockenbrot will further strengthen this position. Nevertheless, we do not have any fundamental competition concerns that could justify a prohibition of the transaction," Mundt said. "The acquisition will only change the competitive situation for other market participants to a manageable extent. Even after the merger, there will still be powerful competitors in the primarily affected market for self-service bread and baked goods." Meanwhile, Harry-Brot is planning to build another bakery in Erlensee, east of Frankfurt. If the project goes ahead, the company is hoping to start production in 2028. The Bundeskartellamt said the acquisition of the Bergkirchen site and the opening of the Erlensee facility would 'at least in southern Germany, likely lead to an expansion of the product range and increased competition'. "German bakery major Harry-Brot gets OK to buy Rewe plant" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
