Oligopolistic markets – Geographic market definition: The French Competition Authority authorized, in view of the lack of unilateral and coordinated effects a merger on an oligopolistic market without remedies (Vermandoise, Cristal Union)

*This article is an automatic translation of the original article, provided here for your convenience. Read the original article. Const. dec. no. 12-DCC-06 of 20 January 2012 on the acquisition of the Vermandoise Group by the cooperative company Cristal Union On 20 January 2012, the Competition Authority authorised the acquisition of the Vermandoise Group by the cooperative company Cristal Union, two companies active in the sugar, molasses, animal feed co-products and alcohol sectors. While the transaction did not present any significant overlaps on these markets, it was more problematic in appearance on the industrial sugar market. The new entity will become the leader in terms of actual sales on the French market - which is regulated at Community level through production quotas - for