CHS Inc. Agrees to Acquire Selected Canadian Assets From Agrium

18 Mar 2014 --- CHS Inc., the leading U.S. farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy, grains and foods company, has agreed to acquire selected Canadian retail assets from Crop Production Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Agrium, Inc., a major retail supplier of agricultural products and services in North America, South America and Australia.

Under the agreement, 16 retail agronomy locations in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan become part of the Country Operations division of CHS. The transaction is expected to be completed on or about April 1, 2014. Financial terms are not disclosed.

“As a farmer-owned cooperative, CHS is always interested in ways we can add value all along the food supply chain – starting at the very beginning of it – and ultimately help our owners and customers grow their businesses,” company spokesperson, Lisa Graham-Peterson, told FoodIngredientsFirst. “This acquisition, of course, is all retail agronomy operations to serve new and current farmer-customers in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. A broader global reach for CHS should mean enhanced sourcing options and opportunities.”

The newly acquired business will be able to take advantage of a new 42,000-ton fertilizer plant outside Shelby, Mont. In its final stages of construction, the facility, with 110-car shuttle loader access to the BNSF line, is expected to open for the spring 2014 season.

"We look forward to expanding our ability to serve farmers and ranchers in Canada, and to being a strong partner in their communities," said John McEnroe, executive vice president, CHS Country Operations. "Our goal is always to add value for our customers through local experts with global connections."