The Cobram Estate Olives Ltd (ASX: CBO) share price is frozen on Wednesday after the company requested a trading halt before the market opened.
The halt comes as the olive oil producer prepares to provide an update regarding a major overseas acquisition.
Before trading was paused, Cobram Estate shares finished Tuesday's session down 0.34% to $2.96. The stock has had a difficult start to the year and is now down around 26% in 2026.
Here's what investors need to know.
Image source: Getty Images
Trading pause requested before market open
In an announcement released this morning, Cobram Estate confirmed it had requested a temporary halt in trading of its shares.
The company said the move comes as it prepares an update on conditions tied to its proposed acquisition of California Olive Ranch.
Management said the pause will help it manage its disclosure obligations and ensure trading occurs on an informed basis while discussions continue.
Trading will remain suspended until the earlier of two events. These include the release of an announcement to the market or the resumption of normal trading on Friday.
Investors should expect further news from the company within the next couple of days.
Major US acquisition remains in focus
Cobram Estate first revealed plans to acquire California Olive Ranch last year in a deal valued at about $259 million.
The transaction would significantly expand the company's footprint in the United States and strengthen its position in the global olive oil market.
California Olive Ranch is one of the largest olive oil producers in the United States. The deal would represent a strategically important step for the Australian grower.
However, earlier this year, Cobram Estate confirmed that the transaction had attracted attention from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
The company said it had been responding to voluntary requests for information from the regulator as part of the normal review process.
Cobram Estate previously noted that it had been having productive discussions with the DOJ as the review progresses.
What does Cobram Estate do?
Cobram Estate is an Australian agricultural company focused on the production and marketing of extra virgin olive oil.
The business operates large-scale olive groves and production facilities in both Australia and the United States. It sells olive oil under several branded and private label products across domestic and international markets.
At the current share price, Cobram Estate has a market capitalisation of roughly $1.4 billion.
Despite the company's long-term expansion strategy, the stock has struggled in 2026 and remains well below levels reached earlier this year.
Attention will now turn to further details on the California Olive Ranch acquisition when trading resumes later this week.
