ADM announces expansion of Argentinian export facilities

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is investing in substantial improvements and expansions to its port facilities in Puerto San Martin in the Argentine state of Santa Fe, enhancing the company's capability to export grain and other agricultural products from the region.

The improvements, which will include the construction of a new berth for barge discharge and the addition of storage capacity, are expected to be complete by early 2016.

'From acquiring full ownership of our Black Sea terminals, to quadrupling the capacity at our port in northern Brazil, to this enhancement of our capabilities in Argentina, we are executing on our plan to diversify and expand our trade and origination territory,' says Joe Taets, president of ADM's Agricultural Services business unit.

The current export facilities in Puerto San Martin have an annual throughput of approximately 2 million tonnes. The improvements will increase annual capacity by 25%, to 2.5 million tonnes, allowing ADM to reduce its reliance on third-party facilities, which today are limiting the company's ability to export increasing volumes from Paraguay.

The expansion also will allow ADM to move a higher volume of products through its seamless, fully-owned network, helping the company to deliver on its goal of providing customers with an identity-preserved supply chain from origination to processing.

'The improved Puerto San Martin facility, along with our export elevator just downriver in Arroyo Seco and our deep water port at Bahia Blanca, will have a total annual throughput capacity of 7.5 million tons, giving us the ability to take full advantage of expanding agricultural production in Paraguay and Argentina,' continues Taets.

 

SOURCE: ADM