The Latvian Competition Council (CC) has granted approval for Froneri International Limited to acquire sole decisive influence over Food Union Luxembourg Group S.à r.l. The decision, adopted on 8 December 2025, follows a detailed assessment of the transaction’s impact on the wholesale market for industrially produced ice cream in Latvia.
Froneri International Limited is a global producer of ice cream under internationally recognised brands such as Extreme, Drumstick, Oreo, Milka, Cadbury, Pirulo and Nuii. The company also manufactures frozen cakes and distributes its ice cream and frozen confectionery mainly in the United States, major European markets, Switzerland and Australia, with certain products exported to the Baltic States via local distributors and retailers.
Food Union Luxembourg Group S.à r.l. functions as a holding company whose subsidiaries specialise in the production and sale of ice cream, dairy products and a broad range of frozen foods, including fish, meat, vegetables, dumplings and breaded dishes. The group also produces confectionery and cottage cheese bars. In Latvia, it is active through well-known ice cream brands such as Pols, Tio, Karlsons, Jungle Pop and Ekselence.
According to the CC’s analysis, the transaction affects the wholesale market for industrially produced ice cream in Latvia. The authority also examined several narrower market segments: the HoReCa segment (products for immediate consumption or sale through hotels, restaurants and cafés), the impulse ice cream segment (ice cream intended for immediate consumption, often purchased at kiosks or recreational areas) and the take-away ice cream segment (ice cream purchased in retail stores for home consumption, including bulk and multipack formats).
The CC concluded that the merger would not materially alter market structure, reduce competition or create or strengthen a dominant position in any of the affected market segments. As a result, the concentration was deemed permissible under Article 16(4) of the Latvian Competition Law.
Under Latvian merger control rules, transactions meeting the relevant thresholds require prior approval to ensure that market concentration does not lead to reduced consumer choice or higher prices over the long term. Further information on merger control procedures is available on the Competition Council’s website in the section “Mergers of market participants.”