November 24, 2009
Viterra exploring business opportunities in Ukraine
Canadian agribusiness Viterra Inc. confirmed news reports that it is actively developing business relationships in Ukraine, but a company representative said there were no announcements to be made at this point.
Viterra President and Chief Executive Mayo Schmidt is recently in Ukraine to meet with agricultural industry representatives, according to Ukrainian news reports.
The Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation Web site has posted a picture and brief news release, dated Nov. 16, of Schmidt meeting with officials in the country.
Sergiy Stoyanov, director general of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation, told Ukrinform, Ukraine''s national news agency, that Viterra plans to develop its business in the country. Schmidt reportedly told the Ukrainian representatives that Viterra would be looking at processing grains and oilseeds in Ukraine, as well as purchasing or constructing grain elevators and port terminals, and trading Ukrainian grainson the world markets. Viterra was said to be particularly interested in exporting Ukrainian barley, buckwheat and rapeseed.
"Viterra has recently opened an office in Geneva which will be responsible for developing trading relationships in Europe and the Black Sea region, including the Ukraine," said a Viterra spokesman via e-mail. "Viterra is currently developing those relationships, (but) there are no definitive announcements to be made at this time."
Viterra is Canada''s largest grain handler and recently expanded its operations to Australia through the purchase of
ABB Grain.
