News

DOJ approves Dow/DuPont merger with conditions

The U.S. Justice Department has approved the proposed merger of Dow and DuPont with conditions. In a news release, the department said Dow and DuPont will be required to “divest multiple crop protection and two petrochemical products to proceed”, saying the merger is valued at about $130-Billion.  It’s the first of three proposed ag company “mega” mergers to get antitrust approval.

The National Farmers Union calls the merger approval part of a disturbing consolidation trend in agriculture.  NFU President Roger Johnson says the Dow and DuPont combination, along with other pending mergers, results in less competition for seed and crop protection business.