Product Offerings
Product Categories:
Agricultural Products, Food Additives and Ingredients, Animal Nutrition
Products:
corn, vegetable oil, feed, food ingredients
Cargill Investments (China) Ltd., headquartered in Shanghai, serves as the principal investment arm and operational headquarters for Cargill Inc. in China. As a subsidiary of the U.S.-based Cargill Inc., a global agribusiness conglomerate with over 159 years of history, Cargill China plays a pivotal role in executing the company’s integrated food, agriculture, and industrial operations across the Chinese market.
Overview and History
Cargill entered the Chinese market in the 1970s, with a formal presence established in 1984. Cargill Investments (China) Ltd. was incorporated to centralize its investments and business expansions in Mainland China. Over the decades, Cargill has grown to become one of the largest foreign agribusiness investors in the region, facilitating imports, exports, and localized production across diverse segments.
Business Operations in China
Cargill’s business in China is broad, encompassing:
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Agricultural Supply Chain
- Grain origination and trading
- Oilseed crushing
- Grain warehousing and logistics
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Animal Nutrition & Feed
- Compound feed and premix solutions
- Aqua feed and swine nutrition products
-
Food Ingredients
- Starches and sweeteners
- Cocoa and chocolate
- Edible oils
- Functional systems for food manufacturing
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Protein Business
- Poultry farming and processing
- Value-added meat products
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Financial Services
- Commodity risk management
- Structured trade finance for agri-traders and cooperatives
Assets and Infrastructure
As of 2024, Cargill operates over 50 facilities across 30 locations in China, including:
- Oilseed crushing plants in Nantong, Huanghua, and Yangjiang
- Animal nutrition manufacturing facilities in Hefei, Chongqing, and Foshan
- Poultry processing complexes in Lai’an, Anhui Province
- Food ingredient innovation centers in Shanghai and Beijing
These assets support end-to-end agri-food supply chains, making Cargill one of the most vertically integrated foreign players in the Chinese market.
Financials and Market Footprint
Though specific financials of Cargill Investments (China) Ltd. are not publicly disclosed, the broader China operation contributes significantly to Cargill’s global revenues, which totaled $177 billion in FY2023.
- Estimated annual revenue from China: Over USD 4 billion, based on trade volume and processing capacity
- Employment in China: More than 10,000 employees
- Investment footprint: Over USD 2 billion cumulatively invested in fixed assets and operations in China
Cargill’s scale and breadth make it one of the top foreign investors in China's agriculture and food processing sectors.
Innovation and R&D
Cargill operates multiple R&D and application centers in China, including its Asia-Pacific Innovation Center in Shanghai, which focuses on:
- Formulation of functional food and beverage ingredients
- Texture and mouthfeel optimization
- Sugar and fat reduction solutions
- Sustainable and traceable sourcing systems
These facilities support local and multinational clients in co-developing products tailored for Chinese consumers.
Sustainability and Compliance
Cargill aligns its operations in China with its global sustainability targets, focusing on:
- Deforestation-free supply chains
- Water stewardship and efficiency
- GHG emissions reduction
- Animal welfare and antibiotic stewardship
In addition, Cargill complies with all Chinese regulatory frameworks and holds certifications including:
- ISO 22000
- HACCP
- FSSC 22000
- BRC for food safety
- Halal and Kosher for select operations
Target Customers and Partners
Cargill’s clients and partners in China include:
- Food and beverage manufacturers (local and international)
- Livestock and aquaculture producers
- Distributors of grains and oilseeds
- Government entities and cooperatives for agricultural development
- Retail and foodservice channels for branded meat and oil products
Major Achievements
- Recognized among Top 100 Foreign-Invested Enterprises in China
- In 2021, Cargill China’s Lai’an poultry plant was awarded Top 10 Sustainable Food Supply Chains by China Food Newspaper
- Partnered with Alibaba’s Hema Fresh and JD.com for digital retail of traceable meat and oil products
- Launched CargillOne, a digital grain origination platform, serving thousands of Chinese farmers
Testimonials and Industry Recognition
"Cargill is a benchmark of quality and compliance in China's agribusiness sector. Their vertical integration and technical support are unmatched."
– CEO, Leading Chinese Feed Manufacturer
"We rely on Cargill’s innovation center for customized food systems. Their ingredient expertise helps us reduce development time significantly."
– R&D Head, Multinational Beverage Brand in China
Cargill Investments (China) Ltd. continues to play a transformative role in modernizing China’s food and agricultural sectors through innovation, sustainability, and global best practices, reinforcing its commitment to nourishing the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way.