John Reidy, World Grain Journalist Profile

Articles

COFCO International appoints Xu chairman

4 days ago | world-grain.com | John Reidy

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — The COFCO International board of directors has appointed Xu Guanghong as the company’s new chairman, succeeding Luan Richeng. Xu, currently vice president of COFCO Group, brings over 30 years of experience within the COFCO Group, with an extensive track record in operational leadership and strategic development across the Group’s core businesses. Xu holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
GEAPS elects new leadership

4 days ago | world-grain.com | John Reidy

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, US — Bob Horvat, manufacturing technology lead and engineer at Cargill, will serve as board president for the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) during the new fiscal year. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand the value GEAPS brings to individuals and companies alike,” said Horvat, who has been a GEAPS member since 2010.
LDC to reopen Ports of Indiana ag terminal

4 days ago | world-grain.com | John Reidy

PORTAGE, INDIANA, US — Louis Dreyfus Co. (LDC), has been selected by the Ports of Indiana to reopen its Burns Harbor grain export facility on Lake Michigan at Portage, Indiana, US. LDC is expected to begin operating the terminal in early 2026. Financial terms of the agreement, announced June 23, were not disclosed. The Burns Harbor grain terminal enabled exports of more than 500 million bushels of corn and soybeans between opening in 1979 and closing in 2023, according to Ports of Indiana.
Rain, cooler weather feed Spain’s grain crop

5 days ago | world-grain.com | John Reidy

MADRID, SPAIN — Spain’s total grain production in marketing year 2025-26 is expected to exceed 24.1 million tonnes and reduce imports, thanks to expanded area, abundant rain and mild temperatures since the beginning of March that benefited winter crops, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture.
Cargill acquires soybean crush plant in Brazil

1 week ago | world-grain.com | John Reidy

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL — Cargill has acquired full ownership of the soybean oil crushing, refining and bottling plant that it has operated since 1998 through a lease agreement in Barreiras, Bahia, Brazil, advancing its operations in the world’s largest soybean producing and exporting country. The Barreiras facility employs 250 people and produces soybean meal (bulk and bagged), pelletized soybean hulls, degummed oil and refined oil (bulk and bottled) under the Liza brand.
CEO of France’s Axereal steps down

1 week ago | world-grain.com | John Reidy

PARIS, FRANCE — Paul-Yves L’Anthoën has stepped down after seven years as chief executive officer of French grain cooperative Axereal. L’Anthoën’s departure last week was confirmed by Axereal, which did not provide additional details or plans regarding a successor. One of France’s largest grain groups, Axereal originated 4.5 million tonnes of grain crops for the 2023 harvest, up 7% from the previous year, according to annual results presented at the Group’s shareholder meeting in December.
UAE imports sustainable corn fermented protein

1 week ago | world-grain.com | John Reidy

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — The first-ever shipment of corn fermented protein (CFP) certified under the US Grain Council’s (USGC) corn sustainability assurance protocol (CSAP) recently arrived at the United Arab Emirates. CFP, a high-value co-product of ethanol production, is recognized for its high protein content and excellent digestibility, making it a sought-after ingredient for the growing aquaculture and poultry feed industry, the USGC said.
Bunge-Viterra merger approved in China

1 week ago | petfoodprocessing.net | John Reidy

ST. LOUIS — The proposed merger between Bunge Global SA and Viterra Ltd. has received regulatory approval from China’s State Administration for Market Regulation, Bunge confirmed, setting the stage for completion of the deal first announced in 2023.
USGC hires trade policy coordinator

1 week ago | world-grain.com | John Reidy

WASHINGTON, DC, US — The US Grains Council (USGC) has hired Sarah McLeeson as its new trade policy coordinator. Joining the USGC at its Washington, DC, headquarters, McLeeson will be responsible for organizing staff and member travel, making arrangements for visiting trade teams and facilitating program planning and execution. McLeeson received a bachelor’s degree in political science with an economic study and sustainability emphasis from Dayton University.
Cargill exits aquafeed business in Vietnam

1 week ago | meatpoultry.com | John Reidy

MINNEAPOLIS — Cargill announced it is exiting the aquafeed business in Vietnam as part of a strategy realignment, which will include closing three facilities. “After a thorough assessment of our aqua business, the industry landscape and competitive market environment, we have decided to exit the aquafeed business in Vietnam and focus on other priority markets and species aligned with our long-term business strategy,” Cargill said.