August 17, 2011

 

Kernel inks first Russian acquisition

 

 

Kernel, a Ukrainian silos-to-sunflowers group, has recently completed a long-held quest for an acquisition in Russia with the purchase of Russian Oils.

 

Andrey Verevskyy, the Kernel chairman, said that while the size of the Russian Oils takeover was, at E60m, "relatively small", it was an "important new development" for the group in providing a foothold in Russia.

 

"It offers the company a long-term opportunity to diversify geographically and to capitalise on the sizable sunflower seed harvest typically produced by Russia," Verevskyy said. "Clearly, we see this acquisition as our first steps in Russia, providing us a platform to build up expertise in this new and promising market. With this first acquisition abroad, we look forward to expand further our operations in Russia and replicate the business model we have successfully developed in Ukraine."

 

The deal comes more than a year after Kernel flagged its quest for Russian takeovers, an ambition restated in March when it unveiled a US$135 million capital raise to create an acquisition warchest.

 

The group said then that it had already been outbid to one Russian oilseed crusher, but was considering "several" further targets.

 

Mr Verevskyy also highlighted the timing of the Russian Oils takeover, which is expected to close next month - in time to enable the group to exploit what is expected to be a "sizeable" Russian sunflower crop this year.

 

The country will produce 8.3 million tonnes of sunflower seed, overtaking the EU and Ukraine to become the world's top producer of the oilseed, according to USDA estimates.

 

The deal, which will give Kernel an extra 400,000 tonnes a year in oilseeds processing capacity, has already been approved by Russian antitrust officials.

 

Kernel noted, but did not detail "other conditions" which need to be met before it can close its purchase of Russian Oils.

 

Kernel shares eased 1.3% to 59.20 zloty in morning deals in Warsaw.

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