Reading Time: 3 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Severe U.S. weather likely dented earnings for large grain companies including Archer Daniels Midland and Bunge for a second straight quarter, adding to headwinds from a still-unresolved U.S.-China trade war, analysts and economists said. ADM and Bunge, as well as peers Cargill and Louis Dreyfus, known as the ABCD quartet of […] Read more
Major grain traders face one-two punch from U.S. floods, trade war
New Bunge CEO looks to downsize company before growing again
Reading Time: < 1 minute New York | Reuters — The new chief executive of oilseed processor Bunge said Wednesday that the company needs to downsize in the short term and earn “the right to grow again,” by avoiding costly mistakes and operating with financial discipline. “We’re going to let the numbers drive what should happen for us. First, we […] Read more
Bunge moves from regional to global operating model
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. agricultural commodities trader Bunge on Wednesday overhauled its global operations and named a new chief financial officer in the latest shake-up for the 200-year-old company hard hit by a years-long grain market downturn. The moves come as Bunge reported a stronger-than-expected first-quarter profit due to higher soy crush margins in […] Read more
Bunge names acting chief as new CEO
Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters — Global grains trader Bunge on Thursday named Gregory Heckman as its chief executive officer, three months after he took the helm in an interim capacity. Heckman, a founding partner of private investment firm Flatwater Partners and the former chief executive of grains trader Gavilon Group, was appointed acting CEO in January after long-serving […] Read more
Grain trade regional tie-ups seen more likely over mega-deals
Reading Time: 2 minutes Paris | Reuters — The agricultural trading industry can expect more consolidation at a regional level in an effort to improve margins, but big deals between global merchants are becoming more difficult, Louis Dreyfus’ CEO said. Merchants have been grappling with lower profits from sourcing and shipping commodities such as grain and oilseeds, prompting cutbacks […] Read more
Bunge names acting CEO, cuts 2018 guidance
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — Global grains trader Bunge appointed one of a slew of new board members as its acting CEO on Tuesday and cut its 2018 earnings forecast as the U.S.-China trade war battered soybean prices and devalued the company’s inventory in Brazil. Gregory Heckman, a founding partner of private investment firm Flatwater Partners and former […] Read more
Is China buying U.S. soy? Washington shutdown keeps traders guessing
Reading Time: 3 minutes Chicago | Reuters –– Commodity traders are in the dark because of the partial U.S. government shutdown, unable to see daily and weekly reports of agricultural exports to obtain clues as to whether China is following through with promises to buy grain and soy amid the ongoing trade war. Traders have been anxiously awaiting proof […] Read more
Bunge CEO Schroder to step down amid investor pressure
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — Bunge CEO Soren Schroder is stepping down after five years at the helm of the global agribusiness, following months of pressure from shareholders to shake up the company amid a prolonged grain market slump. The management change is the latest event to rattle the two-century-old commodities trader after a stretch of particularly weak […] Read more
Bunge reportedly ready to replace CEO
Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters — Bunge Ltd. is preparing to replace its CEO Soren Schroder as the global grains trader faces investor pressure, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing sources. The company is expected to announce the CEO’s departure in the coming days, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. The grains trader was […] Read more
Bunge names Syngenta CEO to board under deal with activist investors
Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — Bunge Ltd. appointed the CEO of agrichemicals company Syngenta to its board on Wednesday as part of an agreement with activist investors D.E. Shaw and Continental Grain Co. The global grains trader named J. Erik Fyrwald as a director, as it navigates low crop prices and the trade war that has […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
