Louis Dreyfus grain facility in Iowa
Sale of fertilizer and inputs business allows company to sharpen focus on grains, oilseeds and sugar business units.
Photo courtesy of LDC.
 
ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS — Louis Dreyfus Company has reached an agreement to sell its Australian fertilizer and inputs distribution business, Macrofertil Australia Pty Ltd., to Landmark Operations Ltd., the Australian ag-retail business of Canada-based Agrium, Inc. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 

The sale of the fertilizer business is part of Louis Dreyfus’ plan to narrow its focus to its cotton, grains, oilseeds, dairy and sugar business lines.

Louis Dreyfus CEO
Gonzalo Ramirez Martiarena, chief executive officer of Louis Dreyfus.

“This transaction is another step toward the implementation of our strategic roadmap, enabling us to concentrate on businesses with closer ties to product sourcing and strong farmer relationships,” said Gonzalo Ramirez Martiarena, chief executive officer of Louis Dreyfus. “We will continue to provide Macrofertil customers in the rest of the world with a wide range of fertilizers and inputs products and outstanding service, leveraging evolving technology.”

Louis Dreyfus formed Macrofertil Australia Pty Ltd. in 2013 to distribute fertilizers and crop protection products in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria. The business unit includes six fertilizer storage and distribution assets with coating and blending capabilities. Annual sales for the business are about $120 million.