Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), a Dutch-French commodities group, has strengthened its presence in Pakistan with a new grain storage facility in Multan having a capacity of around 40,000 metric tons.

The facility is part of LDC’s first industrial site owned by the company in Pakistan and is expected to improve its grain handling, storage and supply chain capabilities.

LDC’s Head of South & Southeast Asia, Rubens Marques, said Pakistan remains an important market for grains and a key part of the company’s South Asian operations.

He said the investment would help LDC expand its domestic presence and respond more effectively to changing demand from customers in Pakistan and the wider region.

LDC entered Pakistan in 2010 and has since expanded across several agricultural commodities, including cotton, grains, oilseeds, pulses, rice and sugar. The company also has a significant presence in the country’s wheat market.

Muhammad Danyal, LDC’s Country Head for Pakistan and Head of Grains & Oilseeds for Pakistan, said the country’s agricultural production and growing demand for grains continue to offer opportunities for the company.

He said stronger logistics infrastructure would allow LDC to better serve farmers, suppliers and customers while helping make grain supply chains more efficient and resilient.

The investment is also expected to support job creation in the local market.

Pakistan is one of South Asia’s largest agricultural markets and among the world’s major wheat-producing and wheat-consuming countries. Its large and growing population continues to support demand for staple grains.