# Regulator blocks Unox takeover over smoked sausage prices

> The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has refused to approve Zwanenberg's takeover of Unox, citing the risk that shoppers would pay more for rookworst, boiled sausages and packaged soup.

Economy · published 2026-10-27 08:09 · updated 2026-10-27 09:16 · https://nlnow.nl/a/regulator-blocks-unox-takeover-over-smoked-sausage-prices/

The ACM has refused to approve Zwanenberg's takeover of Unox. The regulator says the deal would make Zwanenberg virtually the only large supplier of smoked sausages (rookworst) and boiled sausages, including knakworst, in Dutch supermarkets. It would also give the company too strong a position in packaged soups.

The ACM sees a risk that Zwanenberg would use that position to charge supermarkets higher prices, so consumers would ultimately pay more. Zwanenberg's market share in these products would be roughly 60 to 85%.

ACM chairman Martijn Snoep said: "We want to prevent people from facing higher prices as a result of this takeover." He said one party would get too strong a position and supermarkets would have less choice of suppliers.

Several supermarkets told the ACM during its investigation that they were concerned about price rises. The regulator found they would have too few alternative suppliers left. It sees no sign that new suppliers can or want to enter these markets, partly because entering them needs large investments that cannot easily be earned back.

Zwanenberg's proposals to remedy the concerns fell short, the ACM says. The intended buyer's new production capacity is insufficient, at least for boiled sausages. The plans are too vague, and the buyer would stay dependent on Zwanenberg for the first two years.

The companies can appeal the decision. Separately, the ACM is investigating grocery prices in Dutch supermarkets and expects to publish its findings before the end of the year.

## Background

- **ACM (Autoriteit Consument & Markt)**: The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, the independent regulator that enforces competition law and consumer protection rules. It also regulates sectors such as energy, telecoms, transport and postal services.

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