Today the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced that it would not oppose the acquisition by Elders Limited (ASX:ELD, Elders) of all of the shares in Delta Agribusiness Pty Limited (Delta) subject to an undertaking given pursuant to section 87B of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (Undertaking).
Pursuant to the terms of the Undertaking, six Delta branches in Western Australia will be divested. These branches are located in Dalwallinu, Kalannie, Albany, Manypeaks, Wellstead and Hyden.
The Delta locations at Dalwallinu and Kalannie will be purchased by Independent Rural Pty Ltd, a family-owned business operating in the mid north-west of Western Australia that operates existing stores at Geraldton, Perenjori and Northampton.
The Delta locations at Albany, Manypeaks, Wellstead and Hyden will be purchased by EE Muir & Sons Pty Ltd, which operates 42 stores in rural and regional Australia, including locations in Perth, Corrigan and Manjimup in Western Australia.
The acquisition of Delta is expected to complete on 3 November 2025.
Elders Managing Director and CEO, Mark Allison, said, “We are pleased with the outcome of the ACCC’s deliberation and delighted to welcome Delta into the Elders Group.
“Elders has always maintained that the transaction with Delta will not lessen competition in rural merchandise markets in Australia and will ultimately benefit farmers. Our commitment is to maintain Delta’s independence and support its people to continue to deliver for clients.”
“We are confident that our light touch integration approach, combined with both companies’ deep local knowledge and community connections, will foster a robust and responsive agricultural service that ultimately supports customers to thrive in a competitive operating landscape.
“The acquisition of Delta will provide Elders with a range of benefits that aim to have a flow on affect to clients, including allowing greater access to an expanded product and services range, stronger supply partnerships, enhanced expertise, and greater collaborative innovation efforts.
“Beyond this, Elders will have a greater capacity to fill retail network gaps, particularly in New South Wales, North West Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
“Through our 186 years of servicing rural Australia, Elders has taken great care to nurture strong client relationships to earn the trust of rural communities. This will not change. Elders will continue to be dedicated to a productive sector by leveraging the collaborative strengths and local knowledge of both networks.”
Delta Managing Director and Co-Founder Gerard Hines said, “This transaction is the culmination of a thorough two-year process to find the right long-term shareholder for Delta Ag. With Elders, we have found a partner that shares our values and our commitment to supporting farming families and regional communities. Our staff, customers, and suppliers can be confident that it will be business as usual – only with the added strength and opportunities that come from being part of a larger national group.”