German wholesaler Metro Cash & Carry has threatened to revise its investment plans in India after becoming embroiled in a dispute over the opening of its first store in West Bengal.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The state government has refused to renew its Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) licence, which would enable Metro to source agricultural products directly from farmers.


“If Metro Cash & Carry does not get the required licence, this will be the death knell for any future German investment here in the eastern region,” German consul-general, Gunter Wehrmann, warned at a press briefing yesterday (25 September).


The company has agreed to hold off on any decision until Monday, when a ruling from state government is expected.


However, Martin Dloughy, MD of Metro Cash & Carry India, said: “We will be very disappointed if the licence is not issued and it will adversely impact our whole business concept, which is now compelling us to relook at our investments.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact