Subsidiary Up for Sale by Baywa Without Restrictive Competitive Terms

In a significant move, the European Commission has given the green light to the takeover of Cefetra Group by First Dutch Group. The deal, announced by BayWa AG in mid-June, is set to reduce BayWa's debt by approximately 500 million euros.

Cefetra Group, a globally active commodity trader with 17 companies operating at over 35 locations, will become a part of the First Dutch family of companies. This acquisition will grant First Dutch sole control over Cefetra, marking a significant expansion for the Dutch financial holding company owned by entrepreneur Peter Goedvolk.

Peter Goedvolk, also the controller of the Burando Atlantic Group, which specializes in the wholesale trade of oils and chemicals, described the takeover of Cefetra as a "fantastic addition" to the First Dutch family of companies.

The Brussels authority concluded that the takeover does not raise any competition law concerns as Cefetra and First Dutch are not active on the same or vertically related markets. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger control procedure.

Both Cefetra Group and First Dutch Group are Dutch companies, adding another Dutch entity to BayWa's portfolio. The sale of Cefetra to First Dutch is expected to help BayWa AG reduce its short-term liabilities, currently standing at 2.69 billion euros, and long-term debt, which was around 5.88 billion euros at the end of the first half of 2025.

BayWa AG announced today that it will acquire Cefetra Group to gain full control over the company. The takeover of Cefetra Group by First Dutch Group has been approved by the EU Commission on September 4, without any competition law conditions.

This development marks a strategic move for both BayWa AG and First Dutch Group, with the former aiming to streamline its operations and the latter expanding its reach in the global commodity trading market. The deal is expected to close in the coming months, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.