On November 28, 2024, the LDC group notified the Autorité de la concurrence of its intention to acquire the Routhiau group, a player in the poultry sector. Following a thorough investigation, the Autorité has cleared the transaction without any conditions.

LDC is a prominent agri-food group known for its brands such as Le Gaulois and Maître Coq, and operates across four divisions: upstream poultry and egg production, poultry slaughtering and sales, catering products, and international operations. Routhiau, a family-owned business, has two divisions focusing on fresh and frozen meat products and ready meals, including Asian dishes and desserts.

The Autorité found no anticompetitive risks associated with the acquisition, having consulted with customers and competitors of both LDC and Routhiau. It determined that the transaction would not negatively impact competition in the processed poultry and catering product markets. Additionally, the investigation ruled out any potential vertical effects that could harm competitors by restricting access to poultry.

Despite LDC's significant market presence, the Autorité noted the existence of credible competitors and competitive pressure from poultry imports, leading to the conclusion that the acquisition would not harm competition. The decision was documented in Decision 24-DCC-295, issued on December 20, 2024.