The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a consultation on undertakings offered by Greencore Group plc to address competition concerns arising from its proposed acquisition of Bakkavor Group plc. The regulator’s Phase 1 investigation, completed on 27 October 2025, found a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition in the supply of own-label chilled sauces in the United Kingdom, prompting Greencore to offer a structural remedy to avoid a Phase 2 reference.
Greencore’s proposal centres on the divestiture of its entire chilled soups and sauces production business, located at a single facility in Bristol. The package includes the manufacturing site, related assets, employees, recipes and customer contracts, forming a standalone operation capable of replacing the competitive constraint lost through the merger. In parallel, Greencore has entered into a conditional agreement to sell the divestment business to The Compleat Food Group, which it has put forward as an upfront purchaser. The CMA notes that the proposed buyer condition is necessary because the divestment business currently forms part of a broader enterprise and must be transferred intact to ensure its viability.
In its provisional assessment, the CMA considers that the undertakings would resolve the identified competition concerns in a clear-cut manner. It highlights that the Bristol facility contains the assets and personnel required to operate independently and that divestiture of such production sites is common within the sector. The authority also expresses confidence in Compleat’s suitability, citing its independence from the merging parties, its financial resources and its established relationships with major UK grocery retailers. Although Compleat has only a limited presence in chilled soups and sauces, the CMA considers that the acquisition would not raise additional competition issues.
The regulator has invited written submissions from interested parties by 3 December 2025. After reviewing responses, the CMA may accept the undertakings as proposed or require modifications before reaching its final decision.