In December 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
stated that Vandemoortele's proposal to sell 2 production
facilities in France, in Avignon and Béthune to a purchaser to be
approved by the CMA, might be capable of resolving its
competition concerns. However, the period to resolve those
concerns has now expired, and Vandemoortele has not formally
submitted a proposed buyer for approval by the CMA. The
transaction is therefore being referred for a phase 2
investigation.
Vandemoortele and Délifrance each supply frozen viennoiserie
products – such as croissants and pains au chocolat – to
supermarket and foodservice customers. Supermarkets and other
customers bake these products in their in-house bakeries and sell
or serve them to consumers.
At phase 1, the CMA found that the merger could lead to
Vandemoortele becoming the largest supplier of frozen
viennoiserie products in the UK by a considerable margin, and
could substantially affect competition in the supply of these
products, potentially leading to higher prices or lower quality
for customers in the UK.
The businesses proposed to sell Délifrance's UK laminated dough
business together with 2 production facilities in France. At the
time, the CMA believed the proposal might resolve its concerns.
While the CMA has engaged closely with Vandemoortele to support
its delivery of a resolution, Vandemoortele has not put forward a
proposed sale.
The deal has now been referred to an in-depth phase 2 inquiry,
which will be led by an independent panel of experts who will
investigate the concerns in more detail.
More information about the investigation is available on the
case page.
