By its Decision no. 862/2024, adopted on the 1st of November 2024, the Hellenic Competition Commission, in Chamber sitting, unanimously approved the proposed concentration concerning the acquisition of sole control by the company “Tönnies International Management GmbH” over the companies under the names “Vion GmbH” and “Vion Beef B.V.” as well as over the latter’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, namely “Vion Beef Süd GmbH”, “Vion Waldkraiburg GmbH”, “Vion Crailsheim GmbH”, “Vion Move GmbH”, “Vion Hilden GmbH”, “CEMO GmbH” and “Best Hides GmbH”, within the meaning of Articles 5 (2) (b) and 10 of Law 3959/2011.
The concentration concerns the wider markets for the sale of fresh and frozen beef and pork meat and, in particular, the markets for a) the sale of fresh and frozen beef meat to retailers (distribution channel to retailers), b) the sale of fresh and frozen beef meat to catering companies (distribution channel to catering companies), c) the sale of fresh and frozen beef meat to meat processing industries (distribution channel to meat processing industries), d) the sale of fresh and frozen pork meat to retailers (channel distribution to retailers), e) the sale of fresh and frozen pork meat to catering companies (distribution channel to catering companies) and f) the sale of fresh and frozen pork meat to meat processing industries (distribution channel to meat processing industries).
There are no affected markets at a horizontal and/or vertical level in the concentration considered, as the following statutory criteria are not cumulatively met in any relevant market: a) activity of at least two (2) of the parties to the concentration and a combined market share of at least 15% (regarding the horizontally affected markets) or b) activity of at least one of the parties to the concentration and a combined market share of at least 25% (regarding the vertically affected markets).
The concentration is not expected to lead to any vertical relationships between the parties, as the activities of one party to the transaction are not carried out in an upstream or a downstream market as compared to the activities of another party to the transaction. Furthermore, according to the evidence in the case file, the concentration is not expected to give rise to any conglomerate effects.
In the light of the above, the Hellenic Competition Commission, in Chamber sitting, unanimously approves the notified concentration pursuant to Article 8(3) of Law 3959/2011 concerning the acquisition of sole control by the company “Tönnies International Management GmbH” over the companies under the names “Vion GmbH” and “Vion Beef B.V.” as well as over the latter’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, namely “Vion Beef Süd GmbH”, “Vion Waldkraiburg GmbH”, “Vion Crailsheim GmbH”, “Vion Move GmbH”, “Vion Hilden GmbH”, “CEMO GmbH” and “Best Hides GmbH” as, although falling within the scope of Article 6 (1) of the Greek Competition Act, it does not raise serious concerns as to its compatibility with competition rules in the individual markets concerned.
