Glencore Unit Expands U.S. Grain Trading in $1.1 Billion Deal

Glencore Plc’s Viterra unit agreed to buy the grains business of Gavilon Group, making good on a longstanding goal to grow in the U.S. as the commodity giant assesses the future of its agriculture operations.

Glencore has been looking for years to grow its agriculture business to break the century-long dominance of the industry held by the so-called ABCD quartet -- Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., Bunge Ltd., Cargill Inc. and Louis Dreyfus Co. New Chief Executive Officer Gary Naglesaid in December the company was reviewing opportunities to unlock more money from the unit.

“The acquisition of Gavilon firmly establishes Viterra in ...