Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance advises COFCO on US$750 million acquisition of Noble Agri

China's largest foodstuff company acquires remaining 49% stake in agricultural platform

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has advised COFCO International Limited on its acquisition of the remaining 49% stake in global agricultural trading and processing platform Noble Agri Limited from Singapore-listed Noble Group. The firm also advised COFCO on its acquisition of the initial 51% stake in 2014 for US$1.5 billion.

Partner Terence Foo led the transaction, supported by consultants Christina Hui and Kathryn Sanger, associate Angel Yao and registered foreign lawyer Janet Irvine in Hong Kong, along with partner Raymond Tong and associate Seow Tzi-Yang in Singapore. The IP aspects of the matter were met by partner Ling Ho and associate Tina Wu in Hong Kong, with partner Richard Blewett and counsel Bai Yong delivering anti-trust guidance from Beijing.

Terence, who also led on COFCO's initial transaction, said, "Having advised on the original acquisition last year, we are pleased to help COFCO achieve 100% ownership of Noble Agri. This will enable COFCO to further optimise its global value chain by linking Noble Agri's upstream origination and trading operations with the downstream processing and distribution capabilities of the company and its affiliates."