Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Dutch regulator blocks Zwanenberg’s planned purchase of Unox
The Dutch competition authority blocked Zwanenberg’s planned purchase of Unox, a food brand owned by Unilever.
Zwanenberg makes sausages and soups, and the deal would have expanded its position in Dutch supermarkets.
The regulator says the combined company could become almost the only major seller of smoked and frankfurter sausages and gain a monopoly in shelf-stable soups.
It fears that less competition could mean higher prices for supermarkets and their customers.
Several supermarkets raised concerns about possible price increases during the regulator’s investigation.
Zwanenberg is considering an appeal, while Unox says it will decide on its next steps.
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has refused permission for Zwanenberg to buy Unox from Unilever.
The regulator says the deal could leave Zwanenberg with too much power in the Dutch market for smoked and frankfurter sausages and shelf-stable soups.
It warned that the reduced choice of suppliers could allow prices to rise for supermarkets and consumers.
Zwanenberg is considering appealing and says the market for these products is broader than the ACM believes.
Unilever said it was disappointed and would decide on its next steps.
- Who
- The ACM blocked Zwanenberg's planned purchase of Unox from Unilever.
- What
- The regulator refused permission for the acquisition over concerns about market power and possible price rises.
- When
- October 27, 2026.
- Where
- The Netherlands, including its supermarket market.
- Why
- The ACM said the deal could make Zwanenberg nearly the only large supplier of smoked and frankfurter sausages and give it a monopoly in shelf-stable soups, risking higher prices.
ACM
Zwanenberg
Market definition
ACM
The ACM says the deal would make Zwanenberg nearly the only large supplier of smoked and frankfurter sausages and give it a monopoly in shelf-stable soups.
Zwanenberg
Zwanenberg says the market for these products is much broader than the ACM interprets.
Impact of the deal
ACM
The ACM says Zwanenberg could use its market position to charge supermarkets higher prices, leaving consumers worse off.
Zwanenberg
Zwanenberg is considering appealing the decision.
The ACM announced further investigation into the planned deal.
The ACM refused permission for Zwanenberg to buy Unox from Unilever.
- Regulator
- Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM)
- Buyer
- Zwanenberg
- Seller
- Unilever
- Brand
- Unox
- Decision date
- October 27, 2026
- Products at issue
- Smoked and frankfurter sausages and shelf-stable soups
4 sources
What people are saying
This is undesirable, especially at a time when there are already concerns about higher food prices
to determine our next steps