LDC commits US$400M to major oilseed processing plant in Argentina
The new facility will strengthen local oilseed processing capacity and expand Argentina‘s vegetable oil and protein meal exports.
ARGENTINA – Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has announced plans to invest US$400 million in a new oilseeds processing plant in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, as the global agribusiness firm continues to expand its value-added operations in South America.
The company expects to begin construction of the facility by late 2026. Once completed, the plant will rank among the world’s largest sunflower and soybean crushing facilities, with the capacity to process up to 4,000 tonnes of oilseeds per day.
LDC selected Bahía Blanca because of its access to the company’s deep-water port and existing logistics network. The location will help move products efficiently to export markets while supporting Argentina’s position as a major supplier of vegetable oils and protein meals.
The plant will include cleaning, dehulling, conditioning, flaking, pressing and solvent extraction systems. Automated material handling equipment will support operations across the facility.
A key feature of the project is its energy system, which will use biomass generated from sunflower husks. LDC says this approach will help lower carbon emissions and support its environmental targets.
The investment also reflects the company’s long-term commitment to Argentina, where it has operated for more than 125 years. LDC currently employs over 1,300 people across 18 industrial facilities in the country, including its large processing complex in Timbúes.
Industry observers expect the project to help Argentina capture greater value from its oilseed sector by increasing domestic processing instead of exporting more raw crops. The facility could also provide farmers with additional market opportunities while supporting growing global demand for vegetable oils and protein meals used in food production and biofuels.
The announcement comes shortly after another major development involving LDC’s oilseed business in South America. In March 2026, Frísia Cooperativa Agroindustrial signed an agreement to acquire LDC’s soybean crushing plant in Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil.
The Brazilian facility has a daily crushing capacity of 3,400 tonnes and produces degummed soybean oil, soybean meal, lecithin and soybean hulls. Frísia said the acquisition will expand its industrial capacity and increase value addition for cooperative members.
The move also highlights continued investment in soybean processing across the region as demand for biodiesel and other renewable fuels continues to grow.
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