The planned takeover of the Swedish poultry firm, Lagerbergs, by Finland’s meat processing giant, Atria, has secured the approval of the competition and consumer authorities in Sweden, clearing the way for the deal between the two companies to be finalised before the end of this month.
The purchase price is approximately €18 million (£14.35m), to be paid in cash, with the acquisition set to increase Atria’s annual net sales by approximately €30m (£24m).
Atria says the transaction will expand its business in Sweden into white meat processing, pointing out that demand for Swedish-produced chicken has increased steadily in recent years.
“In 2015, retail sales of poultry meat (in Sweden) increased by 7%,” said Atria.
Equipped with a production plant and its own chicken-rearing facilities in Blekinge, southern Sweden, Lagerbergs is the third largest supplier on the Swedish chicken market.
In addition to its own chicken-rearing operations, Lagerbergs also buys chickens from local producers.
The company has 120 employees.
