30 Sep 2009 --- Cargill and Hojiblanca have inaugurated a new oil bottling plant at Antequera, near Malaga. The 50/50 joint venture between the companies under the name of Mercaóleo represents an investment of €18 million in the plant itself, in addition to the working capital required to operate at full capacity. The oil bottled will be sold and distributed to customers by its parent companies. 
 
The state-of-the-art, highly automated facility has the ability to bottle more than 100 million litres of olive oil annually, with the potential to increase capacity through future expansion. The plant will be bottling a whole range of high quality olive oils in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of customers globally.  
 
Olive oil demand continues to grow across the world due to its unique taste, premium quality and healthy profile. Mercaóleo will produce private label olive oil using the highest quality raw materials, backed by the most advanced bottling practices and capabilities to serve Hojiblanca’s and Cargill’s customers. This plant is a sign of its parent companies’ goal to become leaders in both the European and worldwide private label olive oil markets. Together the two companies will provide clients with expertise on all aspects of the process, from tree to table.
 
“Mercaóleo brings together two compelling sets of capabilities”, said Stan Ryan, head of Cargill’s refined oils business in Europe. “Hojiblanca truly understands olive oil and provides reliability, quality and access to large volumes. Meanwhile, Cargill brings production technology and risk management expertise, and a vast global trade, distribution and export network.  As well as opening up new, international markets for olive oil, this joint venture highlights Cargill’s commitment to long-term growth and investment opportunities within Spain. This exciting venture should create the best private label olive oil supply chain in the world.”
 
For Hojiblanca this alliance will strengthen its position in the global olive oil sector – accessing new opportunities as the international market for their product grows. “Hojiblanca is the world's largest producer of olive oil and market leader in Spain for extra-virgin olive and higher quality oils”, said Jose Moreno, Hojiblanca’s president. “Together we will work to enhance the development and growth of a healthy product like virgin olive oil. Thousands of families are depending on this joint venture, so the relationship between the partners is very important.  We have a strong belief that our future is going to be improved because of the relationship with Cargill.”
 
This project will allow the two companies to market a high quality range of private label olive oils to existing and new customers, offering them the opportunity to retail products that are tailor-made to their requirements. 
 
Strengthening its involvement in high premium olive oil will complement Cargill’s existing oil offering to customers that in volume terms has focused on many oils, such as sunflower, rapeseed, soya, corn and palm, among others. Cargill currently bottles olive oil at its plants in Seville, Spain and Izegem, Belgium.  The company also distributes to customers across Europe, Asia and the Americas.  
 
Hojiblanca currently exports high premium olive oil worldwide and also produces and markets table olives. The company will continue to work with farmers and cooperatives to produce large volumes of high quality olive oil.
 
The new bottling facility already has about 20 employees and will create further employment opportunities for production, quality, logistical and financial specialists with proven experience in manufacturing.