Marubeni, the Japenese trading house is to buy Gavilon, the U.S. based grain merchant which ranks currently as the third largest in the world in marketing network distribution, for $3.6 billion.

Negations have been ongoing since early May. The acquisition will provide Marubeni with greater control of global grain supplies, with the U.S. representing the world’s top grain exporter.

Grains analyst Mike Zuzolo of Global Commodity Analytics, said that: "This acquisition supports an ongoing strategic plan by Asian grain importers to better secure future grain needs via the merger and acquisition process.”