ACM rejects Zwanenberg's acquisition of Unox due to fears of higher prices

The acquisition of Unox by Zwanenberg Food Group, announced for late 2024, is blocked by the ACM due to concerns over market dominance. Zwanenberg would become the main supplier of smoked and cooked sausages in Dutch supermarkets, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers. The ACM aims to prevent a single entity from having excessive negotiating power, which could limit supplier choices for supermarkets. Martijn Snoep, chairman of the ACM, emphasized the importance of maintaining competitive pricing in the food market. Companies can appeal the ACM's decision if they disagree with it.