Nutrien moves to ease Ruralco competition fears
Landmark owner Nutrien proposes selling stores to ease competition concerns over Ruralco acquisition.
Landmark owner Nutrien has proposed divesting rural merchandise stores in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland in order to ease competition concerns over the proposed $469 million acquisition of Ruralco.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today said it would seek feedback on the Canadian fertiliser giant’s proposed undertaking, after its planned takeover raised fears over wholesale competition and discrimination against independent retail stores. Nutrien’s undertaking would require Landmark to divest three rural merchandise stores located in Broome, Alice Springs, and Hughenden to a purchaser approved by the ACCC.
ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said the release of undertakings for public comment should not be interpreted as a signal that the bid for Ruralco will be cleared.
“The undertaking seeks to address only local issues in Broome, Alice Springs and Hughenden, and does not seek to address possible issues at the national or wholesale levels,” Mr Keogh said.
“At the national level, the transaction combines two of the biggest suppliers of rural merchandise to farmers. It also combines two of the largest wholesalers to independent retail outlets.”
AAP
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