The company responded to the criticism and considered that the acquisition will improve its positioning in the international market.
In the midst of criticism for the concentration in the task of meat vaccine, the company Minerva Foods defended its acquisition of several plants Marfrig pointing out that these operations are essential to “maximize the competitiveness” of the Brazilian firm internationally.
In a statement, the company noted that it “further consolidated its operational presence by concluding the purchase of BPU in Uruguay and, in particular, by acquiring the selected assets of Marfrig in South America”.
About the purchase, which still must be approved by the Commission and Promotion of Defense of Competition, dependent on Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), Minerva indicated that “after the conclusion and approval of legal procedures,” the plants “will uniquely contribute to our commercial strategy.”
According to the company, the benefits include “expanding geographic positioning and maximizing arbitrage capacity in the global animal protein market,” as well as “maximizing competitiveness in the international market, always respecting our commitments to sustainability and the creation of worth.”
In the statement, Minerva He also referred to the aspect of sustainability. “In Uruguay, In a pioneering way, more than 40% of the directly supplying properties are monitored with socio-environmental criteria,” the firm assessed.
The acquisition sparked criticism from different sectors
The purchase of Minerva to Marfrig added criticism in different sectors of the country and that is why the Rural Association (ARU), one of the entities against the acquisition, held an information meeting days ago with members of the Commission for the Promotion and Defense of Competition.
Detractors of the operation claim that more than 60% of the Uruguayan exported meat would remain in the hands of the Brazilian company, which already has 47% after the purchase of BPU.
This situation “can generate an oligopoly,” according to the senator’s warning. Guillermo Domenech, of Town meeting, pointing out that “the concentration of ownership is not favorable in any aspect”.
Source: Ambito
