Cargill to Sell its Animal Nutrition Operations in Spain and Portugal to Nutreco

Cargill’s animal nutrition business has production facilities in 28 countries worldwide. Its European operations include a wide network of feed mills and pre-mix plants in Italy, Switzerland, Romania, Russia, Hungary, Poland and the Netherlands.

29 Jul 2009 Cargill has agreed to sell its animal nutrition operations in Spain and Portugal to Nutreco. The sale is subject to the approval of the European Commission competition authority and will include Cargill’s 12 animal nutrition production facilities and offices in the two countries. Pending approval, the transaction is expected to close within the next few weeks.

“Cargill has been in animal nutrition in Spain and Portugal for many years but now we have decided to reassess our portfolio,” said Joe Stone, president of Cargill’s animal nutrition business. “We are a longstanding provider of raw materials to Nutreco for their animal feed production and will continue to supply them from our other operations in Spain. The sale of the business to Nutreco represents an opportunity to better position it for future success. We are confident that we are placing these operations in capable hands and are working diligently to ensure as seamless a transition as possible for our customers and dealers.”

Cargill’s animal nutrition business has production facilities in 28 countries worldwide. Its European operations include a wide network of feed mills and pre-mix plants in Italy, Switzerland, Romania, Russia, Hungary, Poland and the Netherlands.

Francisco Irazusta, managing director of Nanta, Nutreco’s animal nutrition business in Iberia, said: “This acquisition will strengthen Nanta with a team of professionals with significant know-how of the business. Together with the commitment and knowledge of our people, the talent of this new team will generate important synergies and will enhance the level of the industry in terms of food safety, quality and innovation for the benefit of our existing and new customers.”

“Cargill has a long and proud history in Spain, dating back to 1960,” said José-Maria Mateo, Cargill’s country representative in Spain. “We will continue to process and supply high-quality food, food ingredients solutions, raw feed materials and industrial products to our diverse range of customers.”

Cargill’s operations in Spain include grain and oilseeds, starches and sweeteners, malt, edible oils and specialty food ingredients such as texturizers. The company also has an olive oil joint venture with Hojiblanca, named Mercaoleo. This business will source, trade and supply customers worldwide with private-label and bulk olive oil and operates an olive oil bottling plant in Antequéra, near Malaga.