Swiss-based commodity supplier Glencore International Plc (LON:GLEN) is acquiring Canadian agri-business company Viterra Inc. (TSX:VT.TO) for C$16.25 per share in cash, or around C$6.1 billion, to boost its presence in grain and oilseeds markets.
The purchase price matched Viterra's 52-week high, while representing a 2 percent premium to Monday's closing price of $15.97.
Earlier this month, Viterra had received expressions of interest regarding a potential transaction.
Following asset sale agreements Glencore has entered into with Agrium Inc. and Richardson International Ltd., Glencore expects the deal to result in the "creation of a more robust competitive landscape for Canadian farmers."
"The acquisition of Viterra reflects our strong belief in the importance and future potential of the Canadian and Australian grain markets," said Chris Mahoney, Director of Agricultural Products of Glencore .
Agrium will pay C$1.8 billion in cash to buy the majority of Viterra's retail agri-products business including its 34 percent interest in Canadian Fertilizer Ltd. Richardson International will acquire 23 percent of Viterra's Canadian grain handling assets for C$0.8 billion in cash.
Glencore, which recently announced a recommended US$90 billion merger of equals with miner Xstrata Plc, expects the Viterra deal to add to its bottom line in the first full year after consolidation.
Following the deal announcement on Tuesday, Viterra shares were trading 0.50 percent lower at C$15.90 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.