Britain's competition regulator has cleared the proposed £1.2 billion merger between convenience food manufacturers Greencore and Bakkavo today, scrapping an in-depth probe into the companies.
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority, which launched its probe into the deal in September, said it had accepted undertakings from the companies to address its competition concerns.
Bakkavor's retail customers include Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose, while Greencore supplies all major UK supermarkets and is the biggest pre-packed sandwich maker in the UK.
In a separate statement today, Greencore and Bakkavor said the deal is now expected to be completed by January 16.
Upon completion of the deal, Greencore shareholders will hold roughly 56% of the combined entity, while Bakkavor shareholders are expected to own the remaining 44%.
The UK competition regulator in November had accepted in principle Greencore's proposed remedy to secure approval for the deal.
The proposed remedy involved Greencore selling its Bristol chilled soups and sauces manufacturing site. Greencore said it was engaged with a number of prospective purchasers for the plant.
The Bristol site and its related business generated revenues of about £47m in the year ended September 2025, about 1% of the revenues of the combined group.
Bakkavor makes around 3,500 different freshly prepared food products, including meals, salads, desserts, dips, sauces, sandwiches and pizza and bread products.
It has been reshaping its businesses across the UK, China and the US to cope with steep costs, subdued consumer demand and reduced volumes.
