Nutrien cede participación en Profertil a Adecoagro y ACA en un acuerdo de US$600 millones, marcando su salida de Argentina.

Nutrien has agreed to sell its 50% stake in Argentine fertilizer producer Profertil to Adecoagro and ACA for $600 million, marking a step forward in its exit from the country. The deal is expected to close before year-end. Petrolera YPF will maintain its 50% stake and right of first refusal. Nutrien announced last year that it would divest its retail operations in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay to focus on Brazil and other global markets.

Nutrien Ltd. has agreed to sell its 50% stake in Argentine fertilizer producer Profertil S.A. to Adecoagro S.A. and Asociación de Cooperativas Argentinas (ACA) for approximately $600 million, according to a press release dated September 8, 2025 [1]. The transaction is expected to close before the end of the year and follows Nutrien's broader strategy to focus on core markets like Brazil and North America.

Profertil, based in Argentina, is one of the most cost-efficient producers of urea and ammonia globally. It has an annual capacity of approximately 1.3 million metric tons of urea and 790 thousand metric tons of ammonia, supplying about 60% of Argentina's urea consumption. The company's industrial complex in Bahía Blanca is strategically located with access to competitively priced natural gas and electricity [1].

Nutrien's decision to divest its 50% stake in Profertil aligns with its capital reallocation strategy, aiming to redirect resources to regions with stronger growth potential. The $600 million transaction will enhance shareholder returns and reduce debt, aligning with Nutrien's ESG-focused growth in agriculture [3]. The proceeds from the sale will also bolster initiatives such as buybacks or debt reduction, potentially improving credit metrics and lowering financing costs.

Petrolera YPF will maintain its 50% stake in Profertil and holds a 90-day right of first refusal to purchase Nutrien's equity on the same terms and conditions [1]. This right of refusal is part of the Profertil shareholder agreement.

Adecoagro, a leading sustainable production company in South America, will execute the acquisition through an 80%-20% partnership with ACA. Adecoagro's management sees strong complementarity with YPF in this new partnership and expects the acquisition to enable continued growth and strengthening of Profertil's leadership [1].

This transaction marks a significant step for Nutrien in its exit from the Argentine market, following last year's announcement to divest its retail operations in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay [2]. The company's focus on core markets is driven by global trends such as urbanization and U.S. tariffs, which are shifting capital towards sustainable practices in agriculture.

References:
[1] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adecoagro-to-acquire-best-in-class-urea-producer-302548613.html
[2] https://www.moosejawtoday.com/national-business/nutrien-selling-its-stake-in-argentina-based-profertil-for-us600-million-11180346
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/nutrien-strategic-exit-profertil-implications-agri-finance-2509/