Greencore, the Ireland-based convenience food manufacturer, has completed its £1.2 billion acquisition of fellow supermarket supplier Bakkavor, following court approval on Wednesday. The deal, first agreed in May 2025, was cleared after addressing competition concerns raised by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Regulators had warned that the merger could lead to a “substantial lessening of competition” in the supply of chilled supermarket sauces, potentially pushing up prices for consumers. To resolve these issues, Greencore agreed to sell its only chilled soup and sauces plant in Bristol to the Compleat Food Group, which confirmed earlier this week that it had completed the acquisition.
The tie-up, structured as a reverse takeover, brings together two of the UK’s largest convenience food suppliers to form a combined group with annual sales of around £4 billion. The new entity will continue supplying major UK supermarkets and retailers, strengthening its position across both “food for now” and “food for later” categories.
Dalton Philips, chief executive of Greencore, said the company had spent recent months planning the integration of the two businesses. “We are proud today to bring together two great companies to create a UK national convenience food champion,” he said. “In Greencore’s centenary year, this is another milestone in a remarkable story.”
Philips also praised staff from both companies for their efforts in completing the merger while maintaining service for customers. “With a comprehensive convenience food portfolio, we’re really excited by the prospects for our business and all we can offer our customers and colleagues,” he added.
Bakkavor counts Tesco, Marks & Spencer, and Waitrose among its retail clients. Greencore supplies all major UK supermarkets and is the country’s largest pre-packed sandwich producer. The combined group is expected to benefit from a broader product range, operational synergies, and a stronger presence in the competitive UK convenience food market.
Industry analysts have noted that the merger could create a more streamlined supply chain and improved innovation capacity for both firms. However, they also caution that the company will need to ensure continued competition and avoid potential price increases, particularly in the chilled sauces and prepared meals sector.
The completion of the acquisition marks a significant milestone for Greencore, consolidating its market leadership and expanding its reach across the UK retail landscape.
