The European Commission has given clearance to the proposed merger of fruit distributors Fyffes and Chiquita.
The companies had made a number of commitments to the commission in order to overcome any potential objections, including an agreement to end any exclusive agreements with shipping companies in northern Europe.
Chiquita CEO Ed Lonergan and Fyffes executive chairman David McCann welcomed the clearance and said it allowed for the deal to be completed before the end of the year.
Fyffes shareholders are due to meet on 28 October to vote on the proposal, which would see them own just over 40% of the combined ChiquitaFyffes firm.
That stake is almost 9% lower than had originally been proposed as the merger deal was amended last month to make it more attractive to Chiquita shareholders.
Brazil’s Cutrale-Safra had made an all-cash offer to Chiquita as an alternative to the Fyffes tie-up, which prompted changes in the original plan.
