Agribusiness
Long-term loan for Uruguayan rice producer
The Uruguayan company S.A. Molinas Arroceros Nacionales (SAMAN) processes rice all year round to a consumer product. The rice is obtained directly from more than 200 local farmers. Some 90% of production is for export and earns vital foreign currency for the country, which is going through an economic crisis. As a result of sharp rises in world market prices for rice and competitive advantages from the depreciation of the peso against the US dollar the Uruguayan farmers have enlarged their cropland. SAMAN prefinances the farmers' harvest, advises them on planting and provides seed and fertilizer. For this and for upkeep measures in the processing facilities, DEG has granted the enterprise a long-term loan.
DEG finances Indian coffee market leader
Amalgamated Bean Coffee Trading Company Ltd. (ABCTCL) is the largest processor and exporter of coffee in India. Aside from processing the raw material, the enterprise also markets products directly via its own café bars, kiosks and coffee dispensers. This acts as a buffer for the pronounced fluctuations in the coffee price and raises profitability substantially.
''Café Coffee Day'' has become a well-known brand in India. The project enterprise is a reliable buyer for about 10,000 smallholder coffee-planting families. After having co-financed the expansion of distribution outlets by setting up more café bars in 2003, DEG provided ABCTCL another long-term loan for further investments.
