The peanut business, P-Farm Agente, is a peanut processor that had been privately owned by Alfonso Visser since it was formed in 1997. Visser will continue to control 20%. Based in Hartswater, South Africa, P-Farm Agente includes a bulk warehouse and a shelling plant capable of processing 20,000 tons of peanuts per year. The peanut business will operate under the name Golden Peanut and Tree Nut SA.
The 50% ownership stake involves South African Pecans, a pecan processor and marketer that will operate under the name GPC Pecan SA. Visser will retain control of the other 50% of the company.
“Our entry into the South African peanut market augments Golden Peanut’s presence in the United States and Argentina, enabling us to serve more customers from more points of origin,” said Kris Lutt, president of Alpharetta, GA-based Golden Peanut. “The regional origination and export capacity provided by P-Farm’s operations will help Golden Peanut advance toward our goal of becoming a global groundnut sheller and handler.”