The disposal of the plant is the only condition imposed by the CMA on the frozen pastry specialist ahead of its integration with rival Délifrance.
Both businesses supply frozen viennoiserie products, such as croissants and pains au chocolat, to supermarket and foodservice customers.
These products are typically baked in-store or on-site before being sold or served to UK consumers.
Vandemoortele’s acquisition of Délifrance was completed on 31 December 2025, but the Belgian firm has conceded that the deal would “substantially reduce competition” in the supply of such frozen pastries and could, as a result, lead to higher prices and lower quality.
Having engaged directly with Vandemoortele, the competition watchdog has ruled that it must sell its laminated dough production facility in Worcester, as well as its UK sales operations in Staines-upon-Thames, to a suitable purchaser.
The CMA believes that the divestment of these operations will help preserve an independent source of supply and restore the competitive constraint that would otherwise be lost as a result of the merger.
Martin Coleman, chair of the independent inquiry group, said: “We’ve quickly concluded this investigation having engaged with Vandemoortele to find an effective and proportionate solution to the concerns we identified.
“Once Vandemoortele conceded that its merger raised competition concerns, we could streamline the investigation, discuss remedies at an early stage and ultimately make a final decision well ahead of the statutory deadline.”
He continued: “Competition helps keep prices low and this is particularly important in wholesale markets like frozen pastry products, which are sold to everyday shoppers in cafés and supermarket bakeries.
“Transferring Vandemoortele’s UK sales operations to an independent operator will protect competition and help keep prices in check for consumers.”
