Louis Dreyfus Co. (LDC) has announced the sale of its Africa-based fertilizers and inputs operations, Fertilizers and Inputs Holding B.V., to Africa-focused private investment firm, Helios Investment Partners.
Acquired by LDC in 2011, Fertilizers and Inputs Holding B.V. distributes fertilizers, crop protection products, seeds as well as industrial chemicals through West-Africa, helping improve agricultural yields and facilitating economic development across the region. The company generates approximately US$300 million in sales annually.
Gonzalo Ramírez Martiarena, Chief Executive Officer of Louis Dreyfus Co., commented: “Our global fertilizers & inputs business has expanded its reach, sales volumes and customer base in recent years. This transaction is fully in line with our strategy of concentrating on businesses in which we enjoy closer ties to product origination and farmer relationships. It will also allow us to strengthen our focus on forging partnerships in other geographies outside Africa. Through our Macrofertil brand, we can continue to deliver a diversified range of fertilizers and inputs products and high-quality services to our customers in the rest of the world.”
The closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
Credit Suisse acted as sole financial advisor to LDC on this transaction and Norton Rose Fulbright acted as LDC’s primary legal advisor.