Competition Bureau reaches agreement with Federated Co-operatives Limited and Blair’s on their proposed joint venture

From: Competition Bureau Canada

News release

July 7, 2021 – GATINEAU, QC – Competition Bureau

The Competition Bureau announced today that it has reached an agreement with Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and Blair’s Family of Companies related to their proposed joint venture. The agreement will preserve competition for the sale of crop inputs in the area of Lipton, Saskatchewan.

The Bureau concluded that the proposed transaction would likely substantially lessen competition in the retailing of crop inputs (such as fertilizer, crop protection products and seeds), resulting in higher prices and lower service quality for local growers.

To resolve the Bureau’s concerns, FCL and Blair’s will sell Blair’s retail location in Lipton, as well as two nearby anhydrous ammonia facilities to a buyer acceptable to the Commissioner of Competition.

The Commissioner is satisfied that this agreement addresses the competitive issues arising from the proposed transaction.

For more information on the Bureau's review, consult our comprehensive position statement.

Quick facts

  • On February 3, 2021, FCL and Blair’s announced that they had agreed to enter a joint venture. The joint venture would be majority owned by FCL and it would acquire Blair’s 7 agricultural retail businesses.

  • Headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, FCL operates in the agriculture, food, energy and building sectors.

  • Started in 1948, Blair’s is a fourth-generation family-owned and operated full service ag retailer with headquarters in Lanigan.

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