CMA proposes final undertakings requiring Vandemoortele to divest a UK plant to resolve competition concerns from its completed acquisition of Délifrance

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) gave notice on 15 September 2026 of its proposal to accept final undertakings from Vandemoortele Group to resolve competition concerns arising from its completed acquisition of Délifrance S.A., a major producer of frozen bakery products. Comments on the proposed draft undertakings are invited until 5pm on 30 September 2026. The proposed undertaking follows the CMA's Phase 2 final report, published on 20 August 2026, which found that the merger had resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition (SLC) in the supply of frozen laminated dough products, such as croissants and pastries, to retail and foodservice customers in the UK. A press release accompanying the August report confirmed that Vandemoortele would be required to sell a UK plant. The case has a long procedural history. Vandemoortele completed the acquisition of Délifrance in late 2025, triggering a Phase 1 inquiry opened in October 2025. After an initial enforcement order was imposed in December 2025 and undertakings in lieu of a reference were proposed and ultimately rejected, the CMA referred the deal for an in-depth Phase 2 investigation in April 2026. In May 2026, Vandemoortele conceded it accepted that the merger may be expected to result in an SLC in frozen laminated dough products in the UK. The Phase 2 statutory deadline is 6 October 2026.