Agribusiness and food company Bunge and agricultural firm Senwes have proposed building a large-scale oilseeds crushing plant in South Africa.

The companies are investigating the possibility constructing a 660 000-t/y crushing plant in response to the country’s growing protein and vegetable oil market, Bunge said in a statement on Friday.

The intended project would expand the existing Bunge Senwes joint venture, which is operating successfully in the wheat and yellow maize commodity trading markets.
The envisaged low-cost crushing plant was expected to crush 2 000 t/d, with the ability to increase to 3 000 t/d, and would be constructed near the companies’ current oilseeds production area and its customers.

“The project will focus strongly on local sourcing of oilseeds which will provide a profitable crop alternative for local producers,” said Senwes MD François Strydom.

Bunge Europe, Middle East and Africa CEO Jean-Louis Gourbin added that both parties were confident of delivering long-term benefits quickly for the South African food and feed chain market, from farmers to final consumers.
 

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