Bunge and Viterra merge to create agribusiness conglomerate

Missouri-based Bunge has announced it is entering into a definitive agreement with Viterra to create an innovative global agribusiness company.

Both companies believe they are well-positioned to meet the demands of increasingly complex markets.

Under the merger, which was approved by both parties’ boards of directors, stakeholders from Rotterdam-based Viterra will receive approximately 65.6 million shares of Bunge stock, with an aggregate value of around $6.2 billion (€‎5.6B) and roughly $2.0 billion (€‎1.82B) in cash.

Bunge shareholders will own approximately 70% of the new company.

The merger is expected to be complete by mid-2024.

An opportunity for both players

Bunge’s CEO Greg Heckman believes the merger “significantly accelerates Bunge’s expansion strategy.”

Through the operation, the company hopes to be better positioned to increase operational efficiency while innovating to address the pressing needs of food security, efficiency for end-customers, market access for farmers, and sustainable food, feed and renewable fuel production.

For Viterra’s CEO David Mattiske, the opportunity allows the companies to “be better positioned to meet the increasing demand for the food, feed and fuel products” they offer.

About the companies 

Viterra deals with over 100 million metric tons of agricultural products annually, including pet feed and aquaculture. The company has more than 17,500 employees in 37 countries.

Bunge claims to be the world’s leader in oil seed processing and a leading producer and supplier of specialty plant-based oils, fats and protein. Some of Bunge’s products are also used in pet food.

Bunge’s headquarters are in St. Louis, Missouri, and they operate in over 40 countries.