By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
U.S. agricultural trading giant Cargill is now registered as a five percent shareholder of Ukraine’s leading agricultural group Ukrlandfarming (ULF).
In a statement Monday, ULF said the deal was finalised late last month. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but a source through the Financial Times said the stake sold for $200 million, valuing the firm at $4 billion.
"The agreement with Cargill indicates an important step for Ukrlandfarming in developing our international presence and export potential," Ukrlandfarming CEO Oleh Bakhmatyuk said in a statement.
ULF said it plans to work with Cargill’s grain division, and aims to boost exports to China and other emerging markets. "Ukrlandfarming is working with Cargill's grain division to satisfy Cargill's particular needs for grains in Ukraine," said Bakhmatyuk.
The move expands Cargill’s presence in Ukraine. For more than 20 years, the company has operated two sunflower oil plants and several silos in the country.