Louis Dreyfus Company expands presence with new office in Germany

GERMANY – Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), a global merchant and processor of agricultural goods, has inaugurated a new office in Hamburg’s historic HafenCity district, Germany.

Located in Pickhuben, an area with strong ties to Germany’s commodities and natural raw materials trade, the office highlights LDC’s commitment to strengthening regional connections and enhancing its position in the global oils, fats, and oleochemicals industry.

LDC’s new office aims to foster closer collaboration with regional supply chain partners and capitalize on the strategic location’s proximity to Nordic and Baltic markets. The team in Hamburg is eager to collaborate with partners to deliver high-quality, plant-based solutions, including edible oils, natural emulsifiers, lecithin, and non-GMO rapeseed-derived glycerin.​

This expansion aligns with LDC’s broader strategy to enhance its global footprint and adapt to the evolving dynamics of the commodities market.

In December 2024, LDC announced that it had officially acquired a grains and oilseeds warehouse in Nueva Palmira, Uruguay.

The facility, strategically located just 2.5 kilometers from the Nueva Palmira port, Uruguay’s largest grains and oilseeds export terminal, has been part of LDC’s operations for the past six years. The purchase cements LDC’s presence in one of South America’s most vital agricultural hubs.

The 10-hectare warehouse boasts a static storage capacity of 38,000 tons, with an additional 12,000 tons available in silo bags, enabling it to handle a variety of crops, including soybeans, wheat, rapeseed, and, in the near future, camelina.

In addition, the commodity trade giant recently announced a binding agreement to acquire BASF’s Food and Health Performance Ingredients business.

This strategic acquisition includes a production site and a state-of-the-art R&D center in Illertissen, Germany, along with three application labs located outside of Germany.

The expansion is reflected in LDC’s impressive financial report, which achieved net sales of US$50.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, maintaining stability amid ongoing geopolitical and climate challenges.

Despite ongoing challenges, the company reported segment operating results of US$2.35 billion and EBITDA of US$1.88 billion.

In 2024, LDC significantly increased its capital expenditure to US$1.01 billion, up from US$636 million in 2023, focusing on organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Key developments included expanding oilseed processing capacity in the United States and Canada, constructing a pea protein production plant in Canada, and investing in logistics facilities across South America.

The company also completed two strategic acquisitions: Companhia Cacique de Café Solúvel, bolstering its global soluble coffee business, and Namoi Cotton Limited, Australia’s largest cotton ginning company.

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