ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST — De Heus Animal Nutrition has begun construction on a new feed mill near Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The mill will have an initial production capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year and produce high-quality feed, which will expand its current portfolio of Koudiis brand concentrates and specialty feeds, company officials said.

Production is expected to begin in the second half of 2022.

“With the full portfolio of concentrates and complete feeds, we aim to continue to fully serve the needs of the farmers in Ivory Coast and in the future local export destinations,” said Mark Hop, general manager, De Heus Ivory Coast.

Hop and Theo Smalbraak, De Heus director for Africa and Middle East, laid the ceremonial first stone during the groundbreaking ceremony, which included the presence of national and local dignitaries.

 “We are honored to host so many customers, business partners and special guests,” Smalbraak said. “The ceremony reflects the warm welcome and support we receive to make the construction and subsequent operations a success.”

Earlier this year, De Heus expanded its global footprint by acquiring feed mills in the Netherlands and Poland.

The acquisition of Coppens Dievoeding in the Netherlands includes a 400,000-tonne-per-year capacity mill. De Heus now owns 10 feed mills in the Netherlands.

In March, De Heus acquired Polish compound feed company Golpasz, which sells approximately 500,000 tonnes of feed per year. Golpasz is a market leader in turkey feed and has secured a leading position in broiler feed.

De Heus is active in more than 70 countries through the export of concentrates and premixes, the main ones being in Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South America. Globally, the company has more than 6,000 employees.