The Competition Commission reported on Wednesday that it had approved, without conditions, the intermediate merger whereby Rhodes Food Group (RFG) would acquire 100% of fruit juice product manufacturer and distributor Pacmar for R165-million.

RFG explained in January that the deal was expected to complement its strategy of expanding its business through lateral extensions into product categories adjacent to its current product ranges.

RFG manufactured and processed prepared foods and/or readymade meals, canned fruits and vegetables and the company further produced and sold certain by-products, such as fruit purée and juice concentrates, used by Pacmar and other fruit juice manufacturers.

Pacmar was currently active in manufacturing and packaging fruit juice and fruit nectar products for local and international distribution under various third-party brands, private label programmes and its own brands.

The commission had also approved, without conditions, the intermediate merger whereby Dariovox, to be renamed AfPo Consortium (AFPO), intended to acquire sole control of AFGRI Poultry and the Kinross Mill.

AFPO, a black economic-empowerment consortium, operated through various divisions, including farming, and had interests in MHS Agro Industries, which operated a broiler breeding farm.

AFGRI Poultry was currently a producer, processer and supplier of a range of fresh and frozen poultry products, while the Kinross Mill manufactured and supplied broiler feed in bulk.
 
The intermediate merger whereby Libstar Operations intended to acquire 100% of wine producer and exporter African Pride Wines (APW) and high-quality foods marketer and exporter Berfin, had also been approved, without conditions, by the commission.

Through its subsidiaries, Libstar manufactured, imported and distributed fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) in the food and beverage, household and personal care segments.

APW was currently primarily an exporter of a collection of wines, marketing and distributing selected high-quality boutique wines internationally. Berfin marketed and distributed locally manufactured food and beverage FMCGs to export markets.