Mercadona receives approval to acquire Logifruit from antitrust regulator. Mercadona has acquired Logifruit after receiving authorization from the CNMC. The regulator found no threat to competition. The deal affects the logistics and packaging market in Spain and Portugal.
Mercadona has completed the acquisition of Logifruit, a company specializing in the rental and management of reusable packaging for logistics. The National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) has officially authorized this transaction, finding no evidence of market imbalance. The agency noted that the market structure would not undergo significant changes after the deal, and competition would remain at the same level.
As part of the deal, Mercadona gained control over Logifruit's Spanish and Portuguese divisions. This company operates on a shared packaging model: instead of each company purchasing and maintaining its own containers, Logifruit provides a full cycle – from supply to return and cleaning of the packaging. This approach helps optimize logistics and reduce costs for market participants.
Market and structure
Logifruit became the first company in Spain's land logistics sector to receive AECOC recognition for reducing CO₂ emissions. According to the company, in recent years it has managed to reduce emissions by 55%, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of almost 650 households. Logifruit employs more than 1,400 staff members, distributed across 16 logistics centers.
Mercadona, in turn, remains the largest supermarket chain with Spanish capital. As of the date of the deal, the company operated 1,672 stores — 1,603 in Spain and 69 in Portugal. The retailer's main business is the sale of everyday consumer goods, and logistics solutions play a key role in ensuring supply chain efficiency.
Regulator's position
The CNMC emphasized that the consolidation of assets will not lead to a significant change in market structure. According to the regulator, the deal does not pose obstacles to effective competition in the analyzed segments. The agency also highlighted that Logifruit's model is based on the principles of sustainability and resource sharing, in line with modern requirements for logistics and environmental standards.
Context and details
Since its founding in 1996, Logifruit has consistently implemented innovative solutions to optimize logistics processes. The company focuses on digitization, environmental responsibility, and integration with major retail chains. As a result of the deal, Mercadona gains access to a sustainable logistics infrastructure, which may impact the further development of the packaging and transportation market in Spain and Portugal.
