The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

The European Commission has given the green light to the proposed merger between FrieslandCampina and Milcobel, concluding that the deal will not significantly impede competition across key dairy markets in Europe.

Following a detailed investigation, the Commission determined that the merger posed no major concerns in the trade of cheese or fresh dairy products in the Netherlands, Belgium and France, the regions where both cooperatives have a strong market presence.

This approval marks the final regulatory hurdle for the merger, following a series of notifications submitted to competition authorities worldwide. In addition to the main competition review, a separate notification under the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation has also received the go-ahead.

Now that this has cleared, FrieslandCampina and Milcobel can move into the final stages of the merger. The vote from the respective boards will take place in December, when the FrieslandCampina Members’ Council and Milcobel’s Extraordinary General Meeting are scheduled.

The merger, if approved by members, would bring together two of Europe’s leading dairy cooperatives to enhance scale, efficiency and market resilience in an increasingly competitive dairy landscape.