Brazil’s Raizen Is in Talks to Buy Dreyfus Sugar Unit

(Bloomberg) -- Raizen Energia SA is in talks to buy a unit of Louis Dreyfus Holding BV as Brazil’s biggest sugar processor eyes mills that would help it boost efficiencies and defend margins.

The deal would see Louis Dreyfus swap its Biosev SA sugar subsidiary in return for a minority stake in Raizen, a joint venture between Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Cosan SA, according to people familiar with the matter. Biosev shares rose as much as 25% in Sao Paulo on the news.

Also on the table is a possible extension to payments on Biosev’s 7.3 billion reais ($1.4 billion) in debt in exchange for Dreyfus paying part of it upfront, the people said, asking not to be identified because talks are private.

In a filing released after the close of trading Wednesday, Biosev confirmed preliminary talks with Raizen that may result in a merger as well as debt discussions with banks. Raizen also confirmed it has held early talks with Biosev. Louis Dreyfus declined to comment.

The deal would be Raizen’s biggest and may give it more power to negotiate cane prices with suppliers. For Biosev, the arrangement would help resolve a years-long battle with debt, which has in the past forced Dreyfus to inject about $1 billion into the unit. Dreyfus is trying to raise cash as its owner seeks funds to pay down loans and is in talks to sell a minority stake to Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ.

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Biosev’s woes began with a period of sugar surpluses and gasoline price caps that reduced demand for ethanol made from cane. Global sugar prices are down about 50% from a 2016 peak.

In the year ended March, Biosev had a record net loss of 1.55 billion reais, its ninth straight negative result. The company’s debt was up 22% from a year ago amid Brazilian currency devaluation, triggering covenant breaches.

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