Competition Bureau challenges grain elevator purchase by Parrish and Heimbecker

OTTAWA – The Competition Bureau is challenging the acquisition of a grain elevator in Manitoba by Parrish and Heimbecker from Louis Dreyfus Co.

The bureau says it has filed an application with the Competition Tribunal seeking an order requiring P&H to sell either its own elevator in Moosomin, Sask., or the newly acquired elevator in Virden, Man.

The regulator says P&H controls both grain elevators which were close competitors along a 180-kilometre stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway.

The acquisition eliminates the rivalry, the bureau says.

P&H announced in September a deal to acquire 10 Louis Dreyfus locations across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

The deal significantly increased its grain and crop input footprint across Western Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20, 2019.