Cargill bolsters India operations with new leadership appointments

INDIA – Cargill has named Ravinder Balain as country president for India and appointed Dheeraj Talreja as vice president and managing director for Food South Asia, the company announced on Sept. 10.

The leadership changes are aimed at accelerating growth in one of Cargill’s most strategic markets and reinforcing its long-standing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer-focused solutions across South Asia’s food and agriculture sectors.

Cargill, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been active in India for 38 years, building strong positions in animal nutrition, edible oils, food ingredients, and grain and oilseed trading.

Ravinder Balain, who joined Cargill in 2024, will take on the role of country president for India while continuing as senior managing director for Cargill’s Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) business in South Asia.

With a 33-year career, including leadership roles at Corteva Agrisciences (DuPont) and over three decades in senior global and regional marketing positions at DuPont, Balain brings extensive expertise to his new role.

He will lead Cargill’s India operations, focusing on market growth, strengthening government and stakeholder engagement, ensuring business continuity, and advising the global executive team on India’s evolving landscape.

“India is a strategic growth market for Cargill, and I am honoured to lead our efforts here. Our focus will be on deepening partnerships, driving innovation, and delivering sustainable solutions that support our customers and communities. Together, we will build on Cargill’s strong foundation and unlock new opportunities for growth,” Balain said.

Balain will also oversee the delivery of high-quality, innovative nutrition solutions through Cargill’s ANH brands, including Purina, Provimi, and Vetcare, reinforcing the company’s leadership in animal nutrition across South Asia.

Dheeraj Talreja joins Cargill as Vice President and Managing Director for Food South Asia, tasked with advancing Food APAC’s strategic priorities, including innovation, operational excellence, and customer engagement.

With over 20 years of leadership experience, Talreja previously led AAK India, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming the company from a joint venture to a wholly owned entity.

He also held senior roles at Huntsman Singapore, driving commercial strategy and operational turnarounds across multiple high-growth markets, including Northeast and Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

“I am excited to join Cargill at this pivotal moment. India’s food, health, and nutrition landscape is evolving rapidly. I look forward to working with our teams, partners, and stakeholders to deliver innovative, nutritious, customer-centric solutions and driving Cargill’s purpose of nourishing the world,” Talreja said.

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