mergers — Latest Stories

Mars-Kellanova Deal Threatens Consumers with Inflation and Fewer Choices

Candy giant Mars wants to buy Kellogg's former snacking division. Mars says this deal will improve product innovation and choices for consumers. Critics say the opposite.

Mergers & AcquisitionsClaire KellowayAugust 22, 2024mars, CPG, candy, Kellanova, mergers, Secondary Feature

FTC’s Kroger-Albertson Case Gets a Hearing, European Commission Approves Bunge-Viterra Merger Contingent on Sell-Offs

The European Commission approved Bunge’s takeover of Viterra on the condition that it sell off its Central European oilseed business. Judges begin to hear antitrust enforcers’ case against Kroger-Albertsons.

Canada Raises Red Flags on Bunge-Viterra Merger

Canada’s Competition Bureau finds that Bunge’s takeover of Viterra would hurt some farmers and canola buyers.

Private Equity’s Cold Storage Roll-Up Could Pay Off in 2024, but It Cost Small Food Companies

Just two companies control over 70% of cold storage in the US. Dozens of acquisitions shut small food companies out of chilled warehouse space. But new construction is on the rise.

Why Albertsons and Kroger's Spinoff Deal Won’t Work

Checking in on antitrust review of Kroger and Albertson’s proposed merger, one year later.

Private Equity Prompts Another Grocery Merger, Aldi and Winn-Dixie

After extracting hundreds of millions in dividends and navigating two bankruptcies, Lone Star private equity wants to sell Winn-Dixie to Aldi, further consolidating the Florida grocery market and putting thousands of jobs at risk.

RetailClaire KellowaySeptember 21, 2023grocery, Groceries, mergers, private equity, Aldi, Secondary Feature

Antitrust Enforcers Draft New Guidelines for Approving Mergers. Here’s What It Means for the Food Industry.

DOJ and FTC set new standards for reviewing mergers and acquisitions that take a stronger stance against concentrated market structures, vertical integration, harms to suppliers, and more.

Policy, EnforcementClaire KellowayAugust 10, 2023FTC, DOJ, merger guidelines, mergers, vertical integration, Secondary Feature

Bunge and Viterra’s Mega Merger Would Dramatically Consolidate Global Grain Trade

Bunge’s proposed merger with Glencore’s Viterra would be the largest grain trading deal in over a decade, creating a global agricultural commodity goliath to rival industry leaders Archer-Daniels-Midland and Cargill.

Family Farmer Advocates Outline Farm Bill Priorities

As Congress prepares to pass the Farm Bill, many advocates have visited Washington to promote policies that challenge corporate consolidation in the food system. Food & Power has a roundup of their proposals.

PolicyClaire KellowayFebruary 23, 2023farm bill, CAFO, fishermen, COOL, mergers, Moratorium, EQIP, USDA, Land, dairy

What Kroger and Albertsons’ Mega-Merger Means for Shoppers, Workers, Regulators

A merged Kroger/Albertsons empire could supercharge store closures, layoffs, price gouging, and supplier squeezing, further harming shoppers, workers, farmers, and independent grocers.

Mergers & Acquisitions, RetailClaire KellowayOctober 27, 2022Kroger, Albertsons, grocery, mergers, workers, retail, walmart, Amazon

DOJ Settlement with Cargill and Sanderson has Big Implications for Chicken Farmers and Workers

Antitrust enforcers didn’t block Cargill’s takeover of Sanderson Farms, but they did challenge the companies for wage-fixing and deception, securing some significant changes for farmers and workers.

Enforcement, Poultry & LivestockClaire KellowayAugust 4, 2022price fixing, wage-fixing, mergers, Chicken, cargill

Competition in Fluid Milk Processing Declines with Midwest Plant Closures

Antitrust enforcers made merging milk monopolists divest plants to preserve regional competition. Now those plants are closing.

DairyClaire KellowayJuly 7, 2022dairy, mergers, DFA, labor, wisconsin, Secondary Feature