LDC Russia originates, stores and distributes sugar products, although the export of grains is our core activity. Today, the backbone of our operations is built around our ports and our 9 inland silos. This includes a grain terminal in the Azov district of Rostov region, completed in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). In addition to our Moscow office, we also have 5 regional offices (in Stavropol, Rostov, Krasnodar, Volgograd and Voronezh) covering the main production areas in which we originate. In total, we export between 1.5 and 3 million metric tons of grains per year. Distribution of sugar products is carried out on a smaller scale.

Inaugurated in 2017, the Azov facility is LDC’s first fully owned grains terminal in Russia. It supports the growth of LDC’s grain export activities in the region, aligned with our global mission to provide sustenance for a growing population.

Thanks to its location, infrastructure and storage capacity, the terminal facilitates local producers’ access to global markets, and provides LDC with added export options, such as the transshipment of grains on sea-river vessels. The terminal is able to serve smaller vessels transporting goods to Mediterranean destinations, effectively shortening the distance between origination and destination markets. As flows from smaller ports account for a significant part of total grain exports from Russia, the terminal allows LDC to provide new alternatives in logistics for our customers, ultimately increasing export capacity in the country.

Our inland elevators are located in the Stavropol, Voronezh and Volgograd regions. The Volgograd asset, a river-side elevator, allows us to export Grains along the Volga river and down to the Caspian Sea.

The quality of Russian wheat has gradually come to be highly appreciated by many consumers around the world – from the Mediterranean region all the way to Asia – and we are well placed to address all our customers’ needs through our extensive network of industrial assets.
We seek to continue investing in Russia, enabling and facilitating sustainable future growth for local farming. In the coming years, we will continue to serve as a reliable partner to local customers, and maintain our role as a leading player in the provision of grains products to global markets.

From Europe’s bread basket to the global market

LDC’s role as a global merchant is to bring locally sourced agricultural goods to the international market. There are many steps in an agricultural product’s journey from the field to the final customer or consumer. Each step must be controlled with precision to ensure we deliver the best quality to our customers, “From Farm to Fork” as we often call it.

LDC invests in origination, processing and logistic assets that are strategically located to serve our customers around the world in the most efficient way, and our network is tailored to the markets in which we are active. Our investments in Russia are focused on creating economies of scale that give local farmers access, direct and indirect, to a global network. Our business model for delivering Russian-grown food to world markets must always be farmer-friendly, as the success of local farmers is also our success.

Port facilities are an important part of our strategy in Russia. We are striving to build an integrated value chain, making markets more easily accessible, and helping to effectively bridge the distance between the farm gate and the terminal.

The core of our activities in Russia remain the storage and transportation of grains (wheat, barley and corn) – within the country as well as to several destinations around the world. In addition to this, we carry out sugar research and merchandizing activities. We also manage a distribution network that delivers these products to our customers in the country, ranging from large multinationals to local manufacturers

Facts & figures

LDC operates 8 different business lines worldwide. In Russia we are active in two of them Grains & Oilseeds and Sugar.

Through our fully integrated supply chain in Russia’s main producing areas, we export between 1.5 and 3 million tons of grains per year. Our inland grains storage capacity of about 900,000 tons is now complemented by our Azov terminal, and its 10 silos are able to store up to 50,000 tons of grains. Inaugurated in 2017, the terminal boasts an annual export capacity of 800,000 tons, with 2 berths loading up to 700 tons per hour.

Altogether, we employ around 750 people in the country.

Operating safely and ethically

Safety, Health and Environment (SHE)

The safety and health of our employees, contractors and visitors are of key importance to Louis Dreyfus Company. Our business model does not separate SHE from other business functions, but rather integrates it into the way we operate, aiming to ensure all our people go home safely at the end of every day. Our commitment to SHE is demonstrated in the company’s attention and dedication to internal systems, standards and management support. In 2009, Louis Dreyfus Company implemented a group-wide, global Safety Day. During this annual event, all our assets celebrate the importance of SHE and set out their strategy for the following year. Where possible, contractors and vendors with whom we do business are also invited to join these events every year.

To make sure employees adhere to best practices, safety measures are built into our operations across the value chain. All our people are given comprehensive health and safety training. At our assets in Russia, SHE trainings consist of:

• Industrial safety training;
• Fire safety training;
• Safety health training;
• Environmental training;
• Process Safety Management training;
• High Risk Activities training.

Community

We see ourselves as an integral part of the local community, and are committed to its sustained well-being. 

Since 2012, LDC Russia has supported the Children’s Oncological Center in Moscow with donations that help children suffering from cancer celebrate New Year’s Eve. LDC employees volunteer to visit the children, distribute gifts and practical necessities, and help lift their spirits as they journey towards restored health and strength.

We also contribute to periodic drives and fundraisers to support various causes in the country. 

Working at LDC

We believe investing in our people is important, and that nurturing a culture that effectively identifies and manages talent globally is essential to our success. Our business is supported by a number of different roles, all of which contribute to the success of the organization.

Why Work with Us?

As LDC continues to grow and face new challenges in the industry, it has never been so important to attract, develop and retain talented people. The Group invests in training and further education, through a number of programs and initiatives, to support our employees in reaching their full potential. Additionally, we reward hard work and offer a competitive compensation package that grows with our employees throughout their career at LDC.