Binningen (BL) 24. March 2020 – The Binningen, Switzerland, based agricultural commodities production and trading company Ameropa reports sales of CHF 6.368 bn for 2019, down 4,2% on the previous year (CHF 6,644 bn). While sold volumes remained largely unchanged, lower world market prices for grains and fertilizers led to this drop in sales. The operating result fell short of last year and budget, mainly due to political interventions in the energy markets in Romania which negatively impacted Ameropa’s fertilizer factory in this country.
Ameropa’s activities in grain origination, fertilizer distribution and logistics in the Danube countries enjoyed a very good development. In Australia, the continuing drought negatively affected results.
Progress was made in the focus areas of innovation, digitization and sustainability. In its Azomures fertilizer factory, Ameropa has adopted the Path to Excellence Plan 2025 which will lead to a noticeable reduction of the consumption of water, gas, electricity and condensates. The factory has reduced its CO2 emissions by 50% since 1990 and will comply with the 2030 requirements of the new Green Deal of the EU in the coming two to three years.
The Ameropa Foundation has received, in December 2019 and after long lasting efforts, the construction permit for its Kamwokya playground in the city of Kampala, Uganda. Thanks to the sports activities of the playground, seven teenagers obtained full academic grants. The micro-finance institute FINEM in Kampala, another initiative of the Ameropa Foundation, raised its loans by 9.3% by granting 716 new loans.
At the beginning of 2020, William Dujardin has assumed his position as new Group CEO.
William Dujardin says: „The first months of 2020 are marked by the severe restrictions imposed by many countries in order to curb the dissemination of the Corona virus. Ameropa is maximizing working from home and adopting other contingency measures in order to play its part in the general fight against COVID-19. At the same time, it is essential for all that the global food supply chain continues operating as normally as possible. Despite the added logistical challenges and the current numerous uncertainties, we at AMEROPA are confident that we will continue to fulfil our important mission in helping feed the world.”
Further information:
Andreas Zivy
andreas.zivy@ameropa.com
Phone +41 61 307 50 25