Kildare Chilling takeover sees three companies control 90-95pc of sheep kill – CCPC

Despite the ‘highly concentrated’ nature of the market for the purchase of live lamb and sheep for slaughter in the State, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) still found the deal would not significantly lessen competition.

Similarly, the CCPC ruled the deal, which was approved in September, will not give Dawn the ability to unilaterally pay farmers less for their cattle after the takeover.

This is despite the CCPC estimating Dawn Meats would increase its share in the purchase of cattle for slaughter within 100km of Kildare Chilling’s slaughterhouse by between 10-15pc to 30-35pc of the market.

Dawn’s acquisition of Kildare Chilling was originally notified to the CCPC in February 2023, comes after significant industry consolidation over the past decade and was opposed by farm organisations, including the IFA, who said the deal removed another significant standalone plant.