Nutreco to acquire South African AECI Animal Health

SOUTH AFRICA – Nutreco, a leading animal nutrition provider, has announced its plans to acquire AECI Animal Health in South Africa. 

This acquisition, expected to be finalized by the fourth quarter of 2024, will enhance Nutreco’s operations in the region and align with the company’s mission to ‘Feed the Future.’

Integrating AECI Animal Health, which boasts an established distribution network and a manufacturing site in Burgersdorp, with Trouw Nutrition South Africa will extend Nutreco’s reach into key regions. 

“The African continent’s role is crucial in securing nutrition for the generations to come, which is why further investment in South Africa is a strategic choice for us,” Nutreco stated in a press release. 

“We recognize the region’s immense potential, having already taken significant steps in 2016 with the acquisition of Advit. By expanding our presence, we are not only adhering to our commitment to feeding the future but also enhancing our reach in the market, thereby supporting South African farmers’ vital role in building a sustainable agricultural future.”

Founded in 2002, AECI Animal Health has nationwide distribution capabilities from its Burgersdorp manufacturing site in the Eastern Cape. 

This acquisition will complement Trouw Nutrition South Africa’s operations, offering valuable access to key regions and combining the expertise and knowledge of both organizations to benefit their customers.

Several conditions must be met before the acquisition is completed, which is anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2024.

In another notable investment in Africa, Nutreco inaugurated a state-of-the-art fish and poultry feed production plant in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, in April 2024. 

This US$26.7 million facility spans 170,000 square meters and has an annual manufacturing capacity of 125,000 metric tons of extruded fish and animal feeds.

The new feed production plant is expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s agriculture sector and national GDP significantly, providing direct employment to 135 staff members and 150 jobs through a third-party agency. 

Seyi Adeleke-Ige, General Manager of Skretting Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm about the plant’s potential impact on agriculture. 

“We are very pleased about the growth of our business in Nigeria, a country with over 218 million people and a rising demand for protein. Opening a facility of this magnitude will ensure that we can meet both local demand and that of neighboring West African countries,” Seyi noted.

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