Merger Update: Greencore Group/Bakkavor Group

Consultation on undertakings in lieu: Anticipated acquisition by Greencore Group plc of Bakkavor Group plc

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a consultation on undertakings in lieu of reference offered by Greencore Group plc (Greencore) to address competition concerns identified by the CMA over its anticipated acquisition of Bakkavor Group plc (Bakkavor) (the Merger).

On 27 October 2025, the CMA announced that it would refer the Merger for an in-depth, Phase 2 investigation unless the Parties offered acceptable undertakings in lieu to address the CMA's concerns.

To address the CMA's concerns, Greencore has offered to divest its manufacturing facility in Bristol which comprises its entire chilled soups and sauces production facilities to The Compleat Food Group.

On 7 November 2025, the CMA announced that it would look in detail at these offered undertakings in lieu. The CMA has until 12 January 2025 to consider whether to accept the undertakings in lieu, or a modified version of them. As part of this process, the CMA is now consulting publicly on whether the proposal is sufficient to address the competition concerns identified by the CMA.

Before reaching a final decision, the CMA is therefore inviting interested parties to make their views known. The deadline for responses is 3 December 2025.

The consultation on the offered undertakings in lieu and all other information relating to this merger investigation can be found on the dedicated case page on the CMA's website at Greencore / Bakkavor merger inquiry - GOV.UK.

In the event of media enquiries please email press@cma.gov.uk.