Romania’s Competition Council has approved the takeover of local mineral water producer Rio Bucovina by Polish group Tymbark.

The transaction was first announced in August 2015, but its value was not made public. Rio Bucovina is one of the top three producers and distributors of natural mineral water in Romania, with a market share of about 10%, according to AC Nielsen data.

Rio Bucovina's main competitors on the mineral water market are local Romaqua group, which has the Borsec brand, Coca-Cola HBC, with the Dorna brand, and Aqua Carpatica.

Tymbark, which is one of the biggest food and beverages producers in Poland, will take over three bottling units in Vatra Dornei, Tumisoara, and Giurgiu, and the Bucovina mineral water brand.

Tymbark has been present in Romania since 1996. The group produces and sells the Tymbark and Tedi joice brands, and the La Festa instant coffee. In 2013, the Polish group also bought the local snack brands Salatini and Capollini.

editor@romania-insider.com