13/09/2008 (Moneycontrol.com) - After having gained sufficient strength in international trade, refining and marketing of edible oil in India, the Adani Group is now set for overseas acquisition as part of backward integration.

“We are planning acquisition of palm oil plantations in South Asian and African countries,” Group Chairman, Mr Gautam Adani, told Business Line in a recent interview. Countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines may be preferred destinations in this regard, according to industry sources.

The Adani Group is a prominent player in the agri-business value chain in the country. The group flagship Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) is a leading importer of pulses. The company has strong presence in every aspect of trade of bulk agro commodities, either in the domestic market or third country trade. AEL is also a leading exporter of castor oil and soya oil from India.

Adani Wilmar Limited (AWL): The company’s 50:50 joint venture with Wilmar Investment (Mauritius) Ltd — a Rs 2,600 company is one of the largest edible oil refiners and oilseed crushers. The company has refineries at Mundra (Gujarat), Bundi (Rajasthan), Haldia (West Bengal) and Mantralayam (Andhra Pradesh) with a cumulative capacity of 3,200 tonnes a day.