Chilean Regulator Investigating Gilinski Group’s Acquisition of Nutresa

The office of the National Economic Prosecutor’s (FNE) of Chile announced that it will begin an investigation into the Gilinski Group’s recent acquisition of Grupo Nutresa due to the potential for competitive, or “concentration,” concerns given the presence that the company already has in the market.

Following the Gilinski Group’s formal announcement of the deal to the FNE on September 12, per the outlet DF Sud, alarms were triggered due to the fact that Grupo Nutresa already has a commercial presence in Chile through food retailer Tresmontes Lucchetti (TMLUC), a local market leader with four production plants in the Southern Cone nation.

In Colombia, Grupo Nutresa is best known for its consumer brands Zenú, Jet, Sello Rojo, Colcafé, Matiz, Crem Helado, Doria, and Monticello, among other leading products well known throughout the Andean country.

In 2022, TMLUC represented about 9% of Nutresa’s earnings (EBITDA), per a report by Valora Analitik. 

Gilinski Group had been embroiled in a battle to acquire Nutresa for years prior to an agreement involving many parties and complex terms that was reached in May.

(Photo credit: Grupo Nutresa)