Growing with Korea’s feed industry 

The city of Pyeongtaek, in Gyeonggi Province, is expected to grow significantly in the coming years as the government of South Korea focuses on transforming the area into an international economic hub.

On Nov. 11, 2015, Cargill marked a major milestone in contributing to that growth with the official opening of its Agri Purina feed mill plant. The event, which was attended by 630 guests – including customers, employees, government officials, feed industry leaders, farmer associations and suppliers – affirmed Cargill’s investment in the country and demonstrated its continued commitment to the sustainable growth of the Korean feed and livestock industry.

The nearly 53,000-square-meter feed mill, built for approximately U.S. $100 million, produces poultry, ruminant, swine and pet food products for animal producers that go to market under the Purina and Nutrena brand names. With a capacity of 870,000 mt, this facility is Cargill’s largest animal feed plant in the world.

“My expectation is that the Cargill Pyeongtaek plant …will represent the current standing of the livestock industry in Korea,” said Byung Gyu Lee, Chairman of the Korea Livestock Council. “I sincerely hope the completion today will bestow a platform for the co-prosperity of both Cargill and the livestock business in this regard. Also, let me wish that today’s ceremony will open the way for further development of Cargill, our partner in the history of the livestock industry.”

Dr. Bokyeun Lee, president of Cargill Agri Purina and representative of Cargill in Korea, couldn’t agree more.

“Our customers expect us to keep innovating and adding value to their products, and this investment focuses on delivering for their success,” he said. “This new feed mill enables us to better serve our customers with advanced technology and high quality, safe animal feed. We’re working with governments, communities and partners to help build a sustainable feed industry with a long-term future.”

According to Dr. Lee, animal protein consumption has been increasing in Korea and the trend is expected to persist in line with economic growth in the country. The long-term forecast anticipates the national feed market to be at 15 to 16 million metric tons annually, making it the world’s ninth largest commercial feed market.

“We continue to help Korean animal and livestock producers make the most of favorable demand fundamentals and satisfy their customers with the best nutrition and feed,” he said.