<p> Chiquita and Fyffes <B>may now proceed</b> with their $1 billion merger plans. The waiting period for U.S. antitrust review of the deal has expired, thus <B>satisfying one condition to the closing of the transaction</b>, according to a press release. The transaction still remains subject to other customary closing conditions however, including additional regulatory clearances by the European Union and approval by the shareholders of both Chiquita and Fyffes. Chiquita CEO Ed Lonergan says he expects that shareholder vote by late summer.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The merger, announced last March, is expected to create the <B>world’s largest banana supplier</b>. The combined firm is expected to control approximately 14% of the global banana market, and both companies will maintain their brands. Additionally, the merger will bring a range of melon products, including cantaloupes, watermelons, and honeydews from Fyffes’ Sol brand.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> As part of the deal, ChiquitaFyffes’ headquarters will be located in Dublin, Ireland. The move has caused some concern from Charlotte leaders since the company has promised to keep the city as its headquarters for ten years. Chiquita, state, local, and county officials are discussing the $23 million in incentives the company was to receive as part of the move from Cincinnati in 2012, according to Charlotte Business Journal.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> This is the latest update in a story that dates back to May 2011. In case you missed it, <B>check out our latest article summing up this mega merger over the past three years</b>. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.andnowuknow.com/behind-greens/chiquita-explored-merger-options-fyffes-2011/11647/christofer-oberst" target="_new"> Click here to read: Chiquita Explored Merger Options with Fyffes Since 2011 </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p> Pending any regulatory proposals or shareholder rejections, the merger is still expected to close by the end of 2014. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.chiquita.com/Home.aspx" target="_new"> Chiquita </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.fyffes.com/home.aspx" target="_new"> Fyffes </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
