SOUTH AFRICA – Rovensa, one of the global leaders in sustainable solutions for agriculture, has completed the acquisition of Oro Agri, from South Africa based chemicals and fertiliser group Omnia Holdings.
Oro Agri is involved in the research and development, production, distribution, marketing and sales of a differentiated range of AgriBio products to more than 80 countries, many of which are patented.
Its product ranges include biological crop protection products, adjuvants, liquid foliar fertilizers and soil conditioners for all major crop types.
With the acquisition Oro Agri will reinforce Rovensa’s portfolio in the agricultural biologicals sector as well as provide an entry of Rovensa into new strategic markets such as the US, Asia, and South Africa.
“Oro Agri will be a positive driver for Rovensa’s growth strategy, not only in dimension and global reach, but specially in value proposition. Rovensa aims to continuously expand its portfolio towards more sustainable solutions for agriculture, with lower impact on environment.
“With Oro Agri’s patent-protected and registered biological solutions, we will strength our positioning as a leading independent provider of biological solutions globally,” said Eric van Innis, Rovensa CEO.
Rovensa’s portfolio comprises of innovative agricultural solutions and technologies that help farmers enhance crop yields and provide food security.
The Portugal headquartered company has three divisions: BioControl, which offers solutions based on biological inputs, such as plant extracts and micro-organisms; BioNutrition, which provides agricultural crops with specialty nutrition solutions for growth and healthy development; and Crop Protection, which eliminates and prevents biological threats in crops.
It specialises in formulating sustainable products which reduce agriculture’s environmental impact, combat its contribution to climate change and support the cultivation of healthy food.
“With Oro Agri’s patent-protected and registered biological solutions, we will strength our positioning as a leading independent provider of biological solutions globally.”
Eric van Innis, Rovensa CEO
Erroll Pullen, CEO of Oro Agri, sees the acquisition as a win for both organizations.
‘Oro Agri now can offer an extensive library of new sustainable active ingredients and bio-nutrition solutions to our customers. We are particularly excited about Rovensa’s organic and biological portfolio. It opens great opportunities for the Oro Agri business.
“And, as we move forward, the commitment Rovensa has made to be a leader in this increasingly important market segment means Oro Agri will be able to offer our customers the cutting-edge in biocontrol solutions.
“For Rovensa and its related businesses, we can offer a turn-key sales and marketing team in important markets such as North America,” Pullen stated.
Omnia disposed Oro Agri in a bid to raise funds to pay down its debt which stood at a net R1.88bn at end-March 2020, and position the group with a strong financial base from which to fund selective organic expansionary capital expenditure and working capital.
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