Description of Activities

The Commission resolved to approve with conditions the acquisition by Karsten Namibia Agriculture (Pty) Ltd of assets in Cape Orchard Company (Namibia) Pty Ltd; Anneke Property Investments (Pty) Ltd., Ditta Property Investments (Pty) Ltd., and Grape Alliance Management (Namibia) (Pty) Ltd.

The acquiring group is a global fruit producer and exporter. In Namibia, the acquiring group provides consulting services specifically focused on the agricultural sector and imports packaging material for grapes.

The target undertakings own agricultural land and agricultural equipment and machinery.

Relevant market: Defined as the cultivation and export of grapes internationally.

Merger Determination

The Commission has found the proposed transaction unlikely to result in the prevention or substantial lessening of competition; it does not result in any undertaking acquiring or strengthening a dominant position in the market, but it raises public interest concerns, in particular employment concerns. Thus, the Commission approved the merger subject to employment conditions.