THE European Commission is reviewing the planned merger between banana giants Fyffes and Chiquita.
The EU's competition wing will examine the deal and is expected to make a decision on September 19. The European Commission has 25 working days after a deal is filed for a first-stage review.
It may extend that by 10 working days to 35 working to consider either a company's proposed remedies or an EU member state's request to handle the case.
Fyffes scored a major victory in the battle to merge with Chiquita last week after the latter's shareholders rejected a rival bid.
Fyffes and Chiquita agreed merger terms last March, but last Monday the Brazilian duo of Safra and Cutrale made a rival bid for Chiquita that seemed to dwarf the Fyffes offer.