ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands and Londrina, Brazil – Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) and Companhia Cacique de Café Solúvel (Cacique) announced today that the companies have signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of 100% of Cacique shares by LDC.
“This development is aligned with LDC’s strategy to diversify revenue streams through value-added product lines – in this case, by accelerating the scale-up of LDC’s soluble coffee business, recently initiated in Vietnam with its iLD Coffee Vietnam joint venture freeze-dried soluble coffee operation, to position LDC among the world’s largest soluble coffee producers,” said Michael Gelchie, Louis Dreyfus Company ’s Chief Executive Officer.
“This acquisition will further expand LDC’s business in Brazil, where the Group has been active for over 80 years, complementing our existing green coffee merchandizing operations in the country,” said Ben Clarkson, LDC’s Global Head of Coffee.
“With its in-depth market knowledge and recognized brand in the industry, Cacique’s highly complementary profile will strengthen and consolidate LDC’s soluble coffee activities.”
Cacique is one of the largest global independent producers, processors and exporters of soluble coffee in terms of volume, with activities in more than 70 countries, best-in-class industrial know-how, two processing assets in Brazil and a strong team of over 1,000 employees.
“We are pleased to announce this agreement with LDC, whose global reach and extensive expertise in coffee merchandizing will undoubtedly benefit our network of growers and customers, ensuring continued growth in the years ahead.
We are confident that our employees will benefit from this new chapter for Cacique, whose history and culture will be preserved, as will the vision of our founder, Mr. Horácio Coimbra, and his successors,” said Cesario Coimbra, João Paulo Coimbra and Horácio Coimbra Neto.
The agreement is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
