Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller has secured competition approval in Poland to buy local seafood group Graal.

An agreement between Müller and Graal’s private-equity owners was announced in February 2023.

The transaction was cleared this week, Müller and the seller, the private-equity firm Abris Capital Partners, said.

Müller said the acquisition is a “significant step” for the development of Lisner, its fish-and-deli business in Poland.

“Graal Group is an excellent addition to our existing fish business. As a result, we will offer even more unique products, including canned fish and ready-to-eat meals,” Müller added in a statement.

Abris Capital invested in Graal in 2017 via a majority stake and partnered with its CEO and founder Bogusław Kowalski in a full takeover.

Graal supplies canned and chilled fish and also ready meals under its namesake brand and the Neptun and Kuchnia Staropolska lines, as well as own-label.

Abris partner Wojciech Jezierski said: “During our partnership with Graal and Bogusław Kowalski we have helped create an unquestionable market leader with a diverse portfolio of branded and private-label products.”

Graal operates from three manufacturing facilities and a distribution centre in Poland. It employs more than 2,200 people, exporting to over 30 countries. The group recorded sales of 1.6bn zlotys (€350m) in 2022, according to figures released by Abris.

Kowalski added: “After 33 years of development of the company, I will step aside at Graal after a short transition period. The Graal and Lisner businesses have strong product complementarity, and I’m convinced that the new owner will create fantastic opportunities for Graal to continue its growth strategy, entering new geographic locations in Europe and globally.”