Commission receives clearance application from South Pacific Seeds
Published25 Aug 2003
Issued 25 August 2003
The Commerce Commission has received an application from South Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd (SPS) seeking clearance to acquire the assets and business of the New Zealand vegetable seed sales division of Yates Limited (Yates).
SPS is an importer of vegetable seeds for distribution and sale in Australia and New Zealand. It also produces vegetable seeds on a contract basis for Yates and a number of overseas seed companies. SPS seed is distributed via seed merchants and directly to commercial vegetable growers, processors and nurseries, and for export.
Yates' vegetable seed sales division in New Zealand markets and sells vegetable seeds to commercial vegetable growers, nurseries, processors, and for export. Yates has two major brands, Yates Vegetable Seeds and Webling & Stewart Seeds. Yates also operates a research and development division involving vegetable seeds which is to be purchased by another party.
In considering the application, the Commission's role is to determine whether the merger has the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market.
A public version of South Pacific Seed's application will shortly available on the Commission's website under Adjudication.
