Japanese drinks giants Kirin Holdings and Suntory are close to reaching merger terms, creating one of the world’s largest beverage and food companies.

A merger would have huge implications for New Zealand, possibly involving an investigation by the Commerce Commission for competition issues.

Kirin is the parent company of brewing, wine and spirits company Lion Nathan, while Suntory-owned Frucor is a leader in soft drinks and juices.

Frucor’s Christmas wish for a decision in its case against Red Bull looks unlikely to be granted before the High Court breaks for the holiday season.

The energy drinks giant is trying to injunct Red Bull’s “blue and silver pocket rocket” campaign.

The case appeared in the High Court at Auckland earlier this month. Justice Judith Potter reserved her decision on the matter, but said she would try to get a judgment out before Christmas.

Frucor Beverages Ltd is moving its Auckland based juice business, Arano, to the Simply Squeezed production plant in Hawke’s Bay.

Frucor, which Japanese beverage giant Suntory paid more than $1.4 million for earlier this year, bought Simply Squeezed in July, adding it to its Fresh Up, Just Juice, V, Frank and Mizone lines.

Chief executive Carl Bergstrom said company would keep both Arano and Simply Squeezed brands, but move Arano to the much larger Hawke's Bay plant, in a “reasonably material” cost saving on the Arano products.

Leading juice maker Simply Squeezed is to be prosecuted by the Commerce Commission for alleged breaches of the Fair Trading Act.

The commission’s action comes less than a fortnight after Simply Squeezed announced its sale to drinks company Frucor for an undisclosed sum.

In a statement issued today the Commerce Commission said it will prosecute Hawke’s Bay company Brownlie Brothers trading as Simply Squeezed, following an investigation into the promotion and labeling of juice products.