Stories From sugar to sunflower: Inside our diversified global ventures

From the sweet success of our sugar operations to the expanding horizons in edible oils like sunflower and sesame, our global ventures are reshaping the food landscape. Meet the leaders behind these moves as they share stories into how we are diversifying its portfolio and making its mark in new markets.

Jelena Andrianova

Sugar Product Line Manager

Govind Ambady

Chief Executive Officer & Director of Gemini Edibles & Fats India

Question (Q): Can you share about our presence in the region and what innovative solutions are you implementing to remain competitive in the market?

Jelena: Our journey in the sugar business has been quite remarkable. We’ve built a network by sourcing high-quality white sugar from key hubs like Brazil, Thailand, and India, and serving customers in 56 countries across continents, from Africa to Asia and from Mexico to the Mediterranean.

Over the years, we’ve grown into a major player in the global sugar trade, with milestones like being the first ship to sugar out of Mexico. Last year, we achieved a 20% increase in sugar trading volumes and reached nearly 800,000 metric tons.

Similar to the other GAR’s business lines, innovation is key to staying competitive. We use digital systems to manage sales and over 2,500 shipments more efficiently. We’ve also diversified our product offerings by adding packed palm oil to our core sugar trading for continuous multi-product supply.

Govind: Our business in India has quickly made its mark in the Indian edible oil industry, thanks to our experienced team and strong support from our management in Singapore and our joint venture, Gemini Edibles & Fats India (GEF). With three major facilities in South India, we’re able to serve a vast market across states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, reaching over 207 million people.

We’re actively broadening our product range and exploring new opportunities in the Indian food industry. For example, we’re planning to introduce spices and other food items, and we’re also exploring the ethanol sector with initial investments in manufacturing facilities. Our extensive distribution network, which includes over 300,000 points of sale and 1,300 distributors, helps us stay ahead in this dynamic market.

Q: What makes your market unique, and what specific challenges and opportunities do you encounter in this region?

Jelena: In the sugar market, we’re managing a supply chain that spans continents. One of our key market, West Africa, is often politically unstable, and requires us to stay vigilant and adaptable. Geopolitical risks can disrupt our supply chains, so being proactive and open to new things is important.

But with these challenges come a chance to grow – the expertise in international logistics we gain from this, coupled with the loyalty and skill of our team, allow us to remain steadfast, even in volatile markets.

Govind: India’s enormous population – which is comparable to the entire population of Western Europe – includes the world’s largest middle class and a young, tech-savvy workforce. This demographic offers huge opportunities, especially with their growing purchasing power and demand for convenient cooking solutions.

The vast market requires us to be adaptable and strategic in our approach. Building the right partnerships is essential, and we must carefully navigate the ins and outs of regulations. But our team is dedicated to make sure we’re ready to tackle these challenges and make the most of the opportunities.

Q: How are you preparing for the future and developing a talent pipeline that is equipped for upcoming challenges?

Jelena: I’m incredibly proud of the loyalty within our team – many of our original members are still with us, which says a lot about the supportive environment we created. As we expand our presence in Asia and grow our key markets in Brazil, having a strong, cohesive team will be more important than ever. I look forward to continuing to meet new challenges with them.

Govind: We’re confident about our goals – we’re aiming to double our business within the next five years. India’s young, tech-savvy workforce is a huge asset, and we’re tapping into this talent pool to drive our growth.

We’re also expanding into new states like Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra, which mean we’ll need to build teams that understand these markets. By investing in the right talent and building a culture of innovation, we’re making sure Our business in India is positioned to stay ahead of the curve.

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Explore our global impact and discover how GAR’s fully-integrated value chain drives efficiency and expertise at every step. Learn more about our global footprint here.
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