Clifford Chance on Mitsui’s Strategic Investment in Wadi Poultry

Clifford Chance provided legal counsel to Mitsui & Co. (Mitsui) in its investment in Wadi Poultry and associated subsidiaries (Wadi) through a holding company established in the Dubai International Financial Centre in the UAE. 

This strategic investment aims to enhance Mitsui’s food and nutrition business cluster, addressing the rising demand for poultry products in Egypt, one of Africa’s most populous markets. Beyond strengthening Mitsui’s presence in the Egyptian poultry sector, the investment aligns with Mitsui’s broader strategy of fostering healthier and more sustainable food production practices. 

Natsuko said, “It is an honour to be able to support our valued client Mitsui as they expand their food and nutrition business globally and bring their know-how to deliver food around the world efficiently and sustainably. We are very proud of the ability of our team to provide exceptional cross-border advice paired with a deep understanding of Mitsui’s business and knowledge of the food and nutrition sector. Our Dubai team is truly exceptional, led by Jack and Gareth, and I am particularly pleased that we have been able to deliver seamless and truly client-focused service out of Dubai and Tokyo to Mitsui on this strategically important transaction.” 

Wadi is an established integrated production business in Egypt, encompassing broiler production and processing, processed food manufacturing, the sale and distribution of these products and the procurement of feed grain. 

Clifford Chance acted as lead counsel for Mitsui. The cross-border team was led by Tokyo corporate partner Natsuko Sugihara (pictured), with a core team in Tokyo and Dubai, including: 

Tokyo: counsel Masafumi Shikakura, senior associates Shunsuke Nagae and George Lau and associates Andrew Quaile and Machiko Ishii; and 

Dubai: partner Jack Hardman, senior associates Gareth Dray and Mhairi Cruickshank and associates Massimiliano Valli, Ahmed Shafiek and Sami Rahim. 

Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy acted as local counsel to Mitsui. While Adsero – Ragy Soliman acted as legal counsel for Wadi Group. 

The firm has advised Mitsui on several key food and nutrition investments in Europe, most recently, its US$472.5 million majority acquisition of Celanese’s Food Ingredients Business. The firm also advised Mitsui on its investments in the European rice producer Euricom, Euricom subsidiary Rol-Ryż and Italian seeds company ISI Sementi, as well as the European merger of crop protection distribution affiliates Certis and Belchim. 

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