FRANCE — Agricultural commodities trader Bunger is bolstering its global presence and capabilities through strategic investments in France and Brazil.
In France, the US-based company has agreed to buy a 49% stake in BZ Group, a major commodity company in the country that collects about 575,000 tonnes of grains, oilseeds and pulses in the northwest of France.
Majority owned by the Beuzelin family, BZ Group also handles about 1.5 million tonnes of agricultural commodities per year in its Rouen export terminal.
The move by Bunge will support the expansion of BZ Group’s silo facility in Rouen, the largest cereal export terminal in Western Europe, the companies said.
“This partnership is expected to strengthen operational and commercial cooperation in an increasingly volatile and demanding market environment,” read part of a statement from the companies.
A spokesperson for BZ Group declined to disclose financial details. Furthermore details on the expansion of the port facility were not immediately available.
Securing grain sourcing in Brazil
Meanwhile in Brazil, Bunge Ltd. is investing in Brazilian seed supplier SEEDCORP|HO. In an effort to reinforce its grain sourcing position in Brazil.
Bunge, along with Advanta Seeds UK (part of UPL Ltd.), each have agreed to acquire a 20% stake in SEEDCORP|HO, a soy genetics company with an integrated seed platform and its own genetic improvement program.
The company, established in 2017 in partnership between GDM, Produtiva Sementes, and Sipar, operates in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.
“With this transaction we will further solidify the relationship with our partners during harvest planning,” said Rossano de Angelis Jr., vice president of agribusiness at Bunge.
“Combined with our technical expertise and market knowledge, we will be able to advise on the adoption of seed varieties that best meet demand, including meeting the demand for more sustainable solutions with a focus on reducing the carbon footprint of the entire growing process.”
In addition, the investment will expand the portfolio of products and services to be offered by Origeo, a recently formed joint venture between Bunge and UPL.
Advanta Seeds said the investment in SEEDCORP|HO underscores its commitment to supporting every stage of the agricultural process, from sowing to post-harvest.
“As we continue to grow our global footprint, this investment will not only expand our market access in Brazil but also strengthen our product portfolio as SEEDCORP|HO is Brazil’s third largest soybean germplasm company,” said Bhupen Dubey, chief executive officer of Advanta Seeds.
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