Cargill has opened a new $100m oilseeds processing plant in Huanghua, Cangzhou in Hebei Province, China.

The new Hebei Jiahao Grain & Oil plant was built in partnership with Chinese firms New Hope Group and Hebei Bohai Investment Group.

Covering 21,000m² in the Bohai New Development Area, the plant will have an annual processing capacity of 1.32 million metric tonnes of oil seeds.

It is expected to help address the growing demand for food products in Northern China and facilitate its integration into the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Cargill’s latest investment is expected to be in line with China’s strategy to drive coordinated development in the region.

“These investments in the new oilseeds plant and Jihai Port reinforce Cargill’s strong commitment to China, a strategic market for us."

The company also made a $100m investment in Hebei Jihai Port, which will serve the transportation and storage needs of the new plant for both domestic and international trade.

Managing a bulk and general cargo berth with 100,000t capacity, the port will connect Huanghua and Cangzhou to the global grain and food trade.

Cargill chairman and CEO David MacLennan said: “These investments in the new oilseeds plant and Jihai Port reinforce Cargill’s strong commitment to China, a strategic market for us.

“They will also help in the coordinated development in the Beijing-Tianjin and Hebei regions, which is of great significance to China.”

Cargill already has three oilseeds processing plants in the country, which are located in Southern China and the Yangtze River delta.

The new processing plant in Huanghua is expected to further strengthen the company’s oilseed processing capabilities in China.