Miller Magazine Issue: 147 March 2022

28 MILLER / march 2022 NEWS Global nutrition leader, ADM, announced that it has completed its acquisition of Comhan, a leading South African flavour distributor. ADM has worked together with the local business for a number of years, with the formal acquisition now giving new and current customers more direct access to ADM’s extensive portfolio and network of experts. “This acquisition marks a very exciting mo- ment for ADM, as we continue to develop our Nutrition business in key growth markets including Africa. I am con- fident that this acquisition will open up opportunities for our customers in the region and build on the capabilities of our existing offices in Nigeria and Kenya.” said Calvin McEvoy, President Global Beverages ADM. “At ADM we believe it is critical to invest in flavour cre- ation assets globally to extend production and supply chains, making it easier to get unique and consumer-preferred flavours to local cus- tomers. The acquisition of Comhan means we can bring together our 80 years' experience in the flavour industry and Comhan’s unique market insight to generate innovative products which cater to local tastes and interests. Com- han’s business is currently focused on bever- ages but through this new partnership we plan to grow the distribution capabilities to include food and savoury products.” added McEvoy. Welcoming Comhan into ADM’s portfolio comes togeth- er with other recent investments in alternative flavour pro- duction, including the company’s recent state-of-the-art facilities in Pinghu, China and Berlin, Germany. ADM completes acquisition of South African business Comhan China has announced it is fully open to Russian wheat imports, in the latest sign of their strengthening bilateral ties as the Ukraine crisis is unfolding. China lifted all its wheat-im- port sanctions on Russia amid the Ukraine crisis, signifying a strengthening between Mos- cow-Beijing relations as the United States and its allies im- pose new sanctions on Russia. China's General Administra- tion of Customs announced the decision on 24th February, hours after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine. The move solidifies an agreement made during Russian President Vlad- imir Putin's visit to Beijing earlier this month. One of the largest wheat producers, Russia hasn't exported to Chi- na amid concerns about possible contamination and bacteria. China and Russia agreed on Feb. 8 that China would import Russian wheat and barley on the condi- tion that Russia take all mea- sures to prevent contamina- tion. Under the agreement, exports to China would be suspended if any fungus or contamination in the wheat or barley is found. China faced unprecedent- ed hardships caused by flooding in the sowing period last year. The sowing of 18 million acres of wheat -- ac- counting for one-third of the country's wheat plantation area -- was postponed due to rare floods. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian said Chi- na will make all-out efforts to secure grain during the summer harvest. The ministry released a five-year plan on farming in 2020 and has a target to produce 1.5 trillion pounds of grain by 2025. China lifts all wheat-import restrictions on Russia amid Ukraine crisis