Dairy trading group Ecoval purchased

Global commodities trader Louis Dreyfus is buying Netherlands-based dairy trading group Ecoval in order to access growing demand in emerging countries, according to news agencys Reuters.

Ecoval is currently owned by Belgian group Prominter and Dutch firm CV Datrex Beheer. Louis Dreyfus is said to be stepping up its investments, with an estimated $7 billion (€5.5bn) planned over the next five years in areas such as palm oil and sugar. Ecoval had sales of more than $530 million (€421.2m) in 2011, handling around 250,000 tonnes of dairy products, including SMP, whey powders and cheese.