BRUSSELS, Dec. 18, 2025
The European Commission has approved Vandemoortele Group’s acquisition of frozen bakery producer Délifrance, subject to conditions aimed at preserving competition in key European markets.
The Commission said its investigation found that the deal, as initially notified, would have significantly reduced competition in the production and supply of frozen laminated dough products—such as croissants and pains au chocolat—to retail and foodservice customers in France and retail customers in Italy. Following the transaction, the merged group would have held large market shares in already concentrated markets, with limited competitive constraints.
To address these concerns, Vandemoortele and Délifrance committed to divesting two Délifrance production sites dedicated to frozen laminated dough, located in Avignon and Béthune in France. The divestments include all necessary assets, personnel and customer contracts, enabling a buyer to operate as an effective independent competitor.
After a market test, the Commission concluded that the remedies fully resolve its competition concerns. The approval is conditional on full implementation of the commitments, which will be monitored by an independent trustee. Vandemoortele may complete the acquisition only after the Commission approves a suitable purchaser for the divested sites.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_3111
