DELAWARE – The U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware ruled in favor of U.S. Sugar on Sept. 23, allowing the company to move forward with the acquisition of Imperial Sugar.

U.S. Sugar released the following statement about the case on Friday: "The people of U.S. Sugar are pleased that today’s court ruling will allow our acquisition of Imperial Sugar to proceed as planned:  enabling us to increase our sugar production, enhance the local Georgia economy and benefit our employees and customers."

The opinion was sealed to protect third-party confidential information. The court ruled that “judgment is entered in favor of defendants and against plaintiff that United States Sugar Corporation’s acquisition of Imperial Sugar Company will not violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C § 18.”

The U.S. Justice Department filed the lawsuit in November 2021 with the goal of blocking the sale of Imperial Sugar Co. to U.S. Sugar Corp.

The Clayton Antitrust Act was passed in 1914 to prevent unfair methods of competition.