Viterra plans to build rapeseed crushing plant in China

Canada-based grain handler Viterra Inc expressed plans to build a rapeseed-crushing plant in China's Guangxi region; and this has already been approved by the Guangxi Development and Reform Commission.

 

The Guangxi Development and Reform Commission approved plans in February for a US$49.8 million rapeseed plant that would be 51% owned by Fangchenggang Port Group Co Ltd and 49% owned by Viterra Asia Pte, which is Viterra's office in Singapore.

 

The plant would crush 2,000 tonnes of rapeseed seed per day for oil and meal, with an annual capacity of 600,000 tonnes of seed. Rapeseed oil is used in cooking and biofuel, while the meal is a protein source in livestock feed.

 

A Viterra spokesperson said on Friday (Apr 16) that the company is "looking at an opportunity in the region". An official at Fangchenggang said the project would come on stream in 2011, with design and land acquisition now under way.

 

Viterra is the top grain handler in Canada, which is the world's leading rapeseed exporter. The company moved aggressively into Southeast Asia last year when it bought Australia's ABB Grain, giving it the ability to acquire grain in both the northern and southern hemispheres.