Dried fruit and nuts sector to shrivel down to two firms in market consolidation

The market may soon be composed of two large groups based on two companies, Atlanta Poland and Uno Fresco Tradex (UFT). The value of the retail rasins and nuts market in Poland is estimated at z³.500 million, and it is expanding by 5-6% annually. At the end of last year the market was divided between a number of players. Now the process of consolidation has begun. First, back in mid 2005, publicly listed Atlanta Poland announced it would take over Uno Fresco Tradex. One of the purposes of the merger would be the expansion of the new entity outside Poland, especially in countries to the East. Although these plans were not realised, Atlanta has not given up the thought of an acquisition and wants to take over 100% shares in Bakal Center. The finalising of the contract is scheduled for H1 this year. Atlanta is already thinking about other acquisitions. In reply, UFT plans to debut on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in Q4 this year and is conducting negotiations with two branch companies concerning a merger. (Parkiet, p. 5) A.F.