Cargill has reached an agreement to sell its business of animal nutrition in Spain and Portugal to Nutreco. The sale is subject to approval by the European Commission's competition authorities, and will include 12 production sites and offices in animal nutrition which has in the two countries. Pending such approval, the transaction is expected that it leads to the next few weeks.

"Cargill has been present in the field of animal nutrition in Spain and Portugal for many years but we have now decided to refocus our portfolio," says Joe Stone, President of Cargill animal nutrition business. "We have long been providing of Nutreco raw materials for their production of animal feed and we will continue providing from our other activities in Spain." This sale of Nutreco business represents an opportunity to position it with success in the future. "We are convinced that these operations leave you in good hands and we are working in an efficient way to ensure a successful transition seamless for our customers and distributors."

Cargill animal nutrition business unit has production plants in 28 countries around the world. Its operations in Europe include an extensive network of factories in animal feed and plants of pre-mezcla in Italy, Switzerland, Romania, Russia, Hungary, Poland and the Netherlands.

The operations of Cargill in Spain include cereals and oil seeds, starches and sweeteners, malt, edible oils and food ingredients as texturizers specialties. The company also has a joint venture for the olive oil with Hojiblanca called Mercaoleo. This business will supply, market and will supply to customers around the world with white label olive oil and bulk. Mercaoleo has a plant for bottling of olive oil in Antequera, Málaga.