Bunge’s headquarters in St Louis, Missouri. Photo: Bunge

VITERRA’S bulk-handling assets and business centred in South Australia are set to be rebranded as Bunge following the approval this week of the Bunge-Viterra merger.

A statement sent to Australian grower suppliers yesterday confirms the move, and the transition of Viterra executive manager Australia and New Zealand Philip Hughes to Bunge vice president ANZ.

“We expect business to continue as usual as we work through the details to align our commercial activities and will honour all existing contracts with Bunge and/or Viterra,” Mr Hughes said in the statement.

Mr Hughes advised of Viterra Australia’s application to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission to change its name to Bunge Australia.

“We expect this to be approved in the coming days.

“Aside from the name, there is no change to the surrounding details of the legal entity.

“The rebranding to Bunge will take place over the coming months.

“During this time, you may see both the Viterra and Bunge brands in use.”

Philip Hughes on site in South Australia. File photo: Viterra

Mr Hughes said terms and conditions will remain the same for growers with existing open contracts with Viterra Australia, although the entity for transferring the grain will change to Bunge Australia, and all new contracts will be with Bunge Australia.

Bunge remains committed to serving and collaborating with growers to discover new markets for your products and to improve the productivity and environmental efficiency of agriculture.

We will share more updates as we progress with the integration. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact your existing representatives.

Bunge’s registered office is in Switzerland, its corporate headquarters are located in St Louis, Missouri; it listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2001.

Prior to the merger, Glencore owned half of Canadian-based Viterra, with 40 percent held by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, and the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation holding the balance.

Plans for the merger were announced in 2023, and it has been enacted following approval last month from the Chinese Government, which came in the wake of Canadian Government approval of the move.

This stems from China being a major importer of grain, oilseeds, and canola and soybean meal, with Bunge and Viterra being two of its leading suppliers.

Bunge has more than 500 facilities and port terminals spread across more than 50 countries, including two up-country sites in Western Australia, and an export terminal at Bunbury.

In Australia, Viterra is South Australia’s biggest bulk handler by far, and also has two sites in western Victoria.

Source: Bunge