Reading Time: 3 minutes The anti-competitive tentacles of this deal reach much deeper than a consolidation that makes two competitors into one. This is about who will shape the future of grain handling and oilseed processing in Western Canada.
Grain business consolidation and concentration
A recent study suggests farmer concerns over the Viterra-Bunge merger are well founded
Brazil floods hit food silos, disrupt routes to major grains port
Heavy flooding in southern Brazil has hit food storage facilities in lower areas while hampering the shipping of grains to port, jeopardizing the nation's exports and wreaking havoc to the economy of Rio Grande do Sul state, a large soy, rice, wheat and meat producer.
Prairie groups raise concerns about proposed Bunge-Viterra merger
Concentration of services at the Port of Vancouver, consolidation of crush capacity could cost producers billions, report says
A group of Prairie producer groups say the proposed merger between Bunge and Viterra is likely to cause substantial economic harm to farmers.
Canada’s worries about Bunge-Viterra deal may force asset sales
Regulators in 13 jurisdictions, including the U.S., EU, have not yet approved the deal
Canada's competition concerns about U.S. agribusiness Bunge's planned takeover of rival Viterra sets the stage for the companies to sell some assets to close the deal, experts said.
Competition bureau has major concerns about proposed Bunge-Viterra merger
The Competition Bureau on Tuesday said it had identified major competition concerns around the proposed merger between U.S. grains merchant Bunge and Glencore-backed Viterra.
Louis Dreyfus withstands commodity price drop to post stable profits
While less chaotic than 2022, war and weather continued to disrupt supply last year
Louis Dreyfus Company's (LDC) profits last year held close to the bumper levels of 2022, with the agricultural commodity giant saying its global trading network helped it withstand falling prices.
Merit Foods pays off operating lender, no deal yet for plant
Plant-based protein processor in receivership since March
A Winnipeg pea and canola protein processor in receivership since this spring remains mothballed for now with no firm buyer — but has paid off one of its three secured creditors. Merit Functional Foods, which entered receivership March 1 after just two years’ operation, has sold all its remaining finished and raw inventory and directed […] Read more
Bunge seeks antitrust approvals for Viterra merger in major jurisdictions
Commodities market competition healthy in Canada, U.S., CEO says
Minneapolis | Reuters — Bunge has filed for regulatory approvals for its merger with crop handler Viterra in “major jurisdictions” in North and South America, Europe and China, and has gotten the green light from some of its smaller markets including Colombia, CEO Greg Heckman said on Thursday. The merger, which would create a company […] Read more
Bunge shareholders bless Viterra wedding
Company still expects to close deal mid-2024
Shareholders in U.S. grain and agrifood giant Bunge have voted their advance approval of the company’s plans to take up one of Canada’s biggest grain industry players. Bunge on Thursday announced the results of an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, in which they approved the acquisition of Viterra and a related issue of about 65.6 […] Read more
Transport Canada to review Bunge-Viterra marriage plans
Competition Bureau also to probe proposed deal
Canada’s federal transport department will conduct its own review of U.S. grain giant Bunge’s plans to buy and merge with Viterra — with an eye particularly on both companies’ stakes in Canadian port terminals. Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced Tuesday that his department will review the deal under the mergers and acquisitions provisions of the […] Read more