Astral: Manufacturing facility complete

POULTRY producer Astral has completed its animal feed vitamin and mineral premix manufacturing facility at Provimi SSA based in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The facility will produce poultry, ruminant, swine and pet food vitamin and mineral premix blends and base mix products for animal feed producers marketed under Provimi throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Cargill, a multi-international group that provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to more than 60 countries, owns 75 percent of Provimi with Astral owning 25 percent. The completion of the facility, at a cost $12.5 million (R145m), comes after the two firms agreed to redevelop and expand the manufacturing facility in 2012. Astral chief Chris Schutte said: “This investment reinforces Astral’s commitment towards its stated strategy of being a fully integrated feed and poultry producer, making continued investment in the poultry value chain.” Shares fell 0.02 percent to close at R186 yesterday. – Nompumelelo Magwaza