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Brussels, 09 March 2000

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Unilever and Amora- are both active in the sector of sauces and and in the sector of edible oils. In particular, these two companies market dry grocery products such as , , , salad sauces, hot sauces, and . In France, the operation involves the merger of the two most important players in the sauces and condiments market, with a combined market share two to five times higher than that of their main competitor. Since the operation raised competition concerns on the mayonnaise, other cold sauces and salad sauces markets in France, where the parties are active with their respective own brands, committed to divest its Bénédicta brand and the associated production plants. Unilever will keep the right of marketing fresh mayonnaise, but only for a limited period of time. The parties thus eliminated doubts concerning the creation of a dominant position and left open the possibility for a new entrant to develop immediately its position in France. With regard to the mustard markets in Belgium, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, the Commission noted that the market shares resulting from the operation would be likely to create or strengthen a dominant position. In order to solve the competition concerns, Unilever has confirmed that its mustard activity under its current brand in Belgium (“Bénédictin”) will definitively cease. Concerning the English and Swedish markets, Unilever has committed itself to sell its mustard business carried out under the brand . The brand itself will be licensed or sold to the buyer. Since these commitments remove any addition of market share, which would have resulted from the operation, the Commission has decided to clear the operation subject to the fulfilment of these commitments, and to declare it compatible with the Common Market.