News story: Consultation on proposal to resolve fertiliser merger concerns

The CMA is consulting on Origin’s proposal to maintain competition in fertiliser supply in Scotland, following its merger with Bunn.

Origin and Bunn are 2 of the 3 main suppliers of fertilisers in the central/eastern region of Scotland, supplying farmers and farmers’ merchants from their sites in Montrose.

In its initial investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that bringing the 2 firms together could see prices rise or result in a reduction in the choice of fertiliser available to customers.

Following this decision, Origin has now offered to sell Bunn’s Montrose business to Glasson Grain Limited to prevent any negative impact on competition from the merger.

The CMA is opening a 15 day consultation on this proposal. The CMA will review responses to its consultation and will then determine whether to accept or reject Origin’s proposal. Should this proposal be rejected, the case would be referred for a further in-depth investigation.

All information relating to this investigation can be found on the case page.