Louis Dreyfus Company strengthens position in Uruguay with strategic warehouse acquisition
URUGUAY – Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), a global powerhouse in agricultural commodities, announced that it has 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.
The facility is expected to expand its operations as LDC continues to invest in the local agricultural sector.
“This acquisition underscores our long-term commitment to Uruguay as a key origin market for LDC,” said Mario Sampaolesi, LDC’s Head of Grains & Oilseeds Origination for Uruguay.
Mario added that the move reflects LDC’s strategy to reinforce its capabilities and strengthen partnerships with local producers.
Additionally, the acquisition is part of LDC’s broader strategy to increase its market share and enhance logistics across Latin America.
Recently, the agri commodity giant officially began on Louis Dreyfus Co.’s new soybean processing plant in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, a project announced by the commodity trader in October 2023.
The facility is scheduled for completion in March 2026, and once operational, it will have the capacity to crush 1.5 million tonnes of soybeans annually, yielding 320,000 tonnes of soybean oil.
This expansion will enhance Louis Dreyfus Co.’s (LDC) market position, particularly in renewable energy feedstock markets.
“The new facility will boost LDC’s presence in growing edible oil and animal feed markets and create opportunities in renewable energy feedstock markets, further reinforcing LDC’s position as a trusted partner to food, feed, and energy industry customers,” the company stated.
The Upper Sandusky plant will employ over 100 local workers and be integrated into LDC’s regional industrial and logistics network, strengthening the company’s infrastructure and operational efficiency.
“This strategic development will further strengthen LDC’s core merchandising capabilities with additional capacity to originate and process US soy into value-added products—in this case, edible oils and lecithin—reinforcing our position as a partner to our customers as we grow our Food & Feed Solutions business established in January,” LDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Gelchie had commented last year.
In addition to this project, LDC has been actively expanding its operations in North America. Just a month after announcing the Ohio plant, LDC revealed plans for a new pea protein plant in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada.
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