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Eurochem – pre-export financing

23 March 2009

Branching out into new sectors

Read more: [Eurochem] [fertiliser] [pre-export] [PXF] [Russia] [Allen & Overy]

The $1.5 billion pre-export financing facility arranged in 2008 for Russian fertiliser producer Eurochem is a landmark transaction for the Russian fertiliser sector as it is the largest syndicated deal ever signed in this strategic industry for Russia, and the company's first foray into the syndicated market. The transaction was successfully completed and fully subscribed in record time despite adverse market conditions – banks were mandated in the beginning of August 2008 and general syndication was launched in September 2008, right in the midst of market turmoil. Despite this, the syndication went successfully, and closed in November, oversubscribed. With a structure tailor-made to take into account Eurochem's commercial organisation and provide the necessary security for the lenders, the deal is a worthy winner as one of the Deals of the Year....


Poll

Will Russia’s recent ban on grain exports result in a significant rise in private risk insurance claims from grain traders unable to fulfil their contracts?

Yes – there will be more claims. The government’s actions allow traders, with PRI cover, to make claims through contract frustration.
8%
No - the majority of Russia’s wheat production, some 70%-80%, is used for domestic consumption so the contracts represent only a small portion of the total wheat market, limiting the amount of potential claims.
23%
No - traders had a week’s notice before the ban allowing them to secure alternative supplies to fulfil contracts stated as optional origin.
23%
Maybe - but claims are likely to be limited to traders dealing in soft wheat whose contracts demand they source wheat only from Russia.
46%

Quote

A collateral manager may manage collateral well but it won’t tell you if someone’s about to go belly up.

Steven Pout, Agriservice - Brazil: Agri-sector bounces back - Trade Finance, July/August 2010