The Competition Bureau has approved ProSoils Inc. as the buyer of Blair’s Family of Companies’ retail crop input facility in Lipton, Saskatchewan. This transaction closed on January 28, 2022. In July 2021, the Bureau, Blair’s and Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) reached an agreement that required the companies to sell the Blair’s Lipton facility, as well as two nearby anhydrous ammonia facilities, to resolve competition issues related to their proposed joint venture.
January 28, 2022 – GATINEAU, QC – Competition Bureau
The Competition Bureau has approved ProSoils Inc. as the buyer of Blair’s Family of Companies’ retail crop input facility in Lipton, Saskatchewan. This transaction closed on January 28, 2022. In July 2021, the Bureau, Blair’s and Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) reached an agreement that required the companies to sell the Blair’s Lipton facility, as well as two nearby anhydrous ammonia facilities, to resolve competition issues related to their proposed joint venture.
The Bureau concluded that the proposed joint venture would likely substantially lessen competition in the retailing of crop inputs (such as fertilizer, crop protection products and seeds). As a result, local growers were likely to face  higher prices and lower service quality.
Selling the Lipton facility eliminates the competitive harm likely to result from the proposed transaction.
The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. Competition drives lower prices and innovation while fueling economic growth.