April 2, 2012

Nutreco acquires Brazilian farm mineral company Bellman

The acquisition will strengthen Nutreco's premix and feed specialities position in Brazil, one of the most important agriculture and aquaculture growth markets in the world. Brazil is the third largest animal nutrition market in the world, with annual growth of approximately 4 - 5%.

Bellman is a large farm mineral player in Brazil, which develops brands built on a science-based market approach. It operates in 18 states with a strong market position in mid-west Brazil. In addition to itrs production facility in Mirassol, northwest São Paulo state, a second plant in Mato Grosso will be operational in 2012. Bellman raked in revenues of EUR 37 million in 2011.

Jerry Vergeer, Nutreco's Chief Operating Officer of Animal Nutrition says, "Following our recently announced increased shareholding in Nutreco Fri-Ribe, we are excited about the acquisition of Bellman. The company has a very strong reputation and market position, delivering value added products and services to its customers. Its activities, geographical presence and product proposition are fully in line with our strategy Ambition 2016."

Nutreco's 'Ambition 2016 - driving sustainable growth' is to grow and improve profitability by innovative and sustainable nutritional solutions for its customers. Strategies include focusing on a higher margin portfolio of nutritional solutions such as premixes, feed specialties and fish feed; and by expanding into growth regions including Latin America, Russia, China and Southeast Asia, which will see the largest increases in both production and consumption of animal protein food products.