Wedoany.com Report-Jun 24, Cargill, a global agribusiness company, has acquired full ownership of a soybean oil crushing, refining, and bottling plant in Barreiras, Bahia, Brazil, which it has operated under a lease since 1998. This acquisition strengthens Cargill’s presence in Brazil, the world’s leading soybean producer and exporter.

The Barreiras facility employs 250 workers and produces soybean meal (bulk and bagged), soybean hull pellets, degummed oil, and refined oil (bulk and bottled) under the Liza brand. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Paulo Sousa, president of Cargill’s Brazil and Latin America agricultural business, stated: “We are very pleased with the acquisition of the Barreiras facility. This initiative is consistent with our growth strategy and strengthens our operations in the region, allowing us to continue investing in serving both our domestic and global soybean meal customers.”

Over the past five years, Cargill has invested R$8.1 billion (approximately US$1.5 billion) in its Brazilian operations, which include 29 factories, 75 warehouses, seven port terminals, two breeding innovation centers, a service center, five distribution centers, 14 commercial offices, and four corporate control centers. In May 2025, Cargill secured a 35-year lease for a port terminal in Paranaguá with a bid of US$72.4 million. In February, the company acquired the remaining 50% of SJC Bioenergia, renaming it Cargill Bioenergia, with facilities in Quirinopolis and Cachoeira-Dourada.

Cargill’s broader operations in Brazil support both domestic consumption and global exports, meeting demand for soybean products in food, feed, and industrial applications. The Barreiras acquisition enhances the company’s ability to serve these markets efficiently.

Separately, Cargill announced plans to reduce its global workforce by approximately 5%, affecting around 8,000 employees, due to a challenging fiscal 2024 performance and a business restructuring. The company reported fiscal 2024 sales of $160 billion, a nearly 10% decline from $177 billion the previous year. Despite these adjustments, Cargill’s investments in Brazil, including the Barreiras facility, reflect its commitment to long-term growth in key agricultural markets.