BayWa AG Continues Debt‑Reduction Strategy with Sale of Dutch Grain Trading Subsidiary
BayWa AG announced on 25 February 2026 that it has sold its Dutch grain‑trading subsidiary Cefetra to an investor consortium for €125 million. The transaction will reduce the group’s liabilities by more than €600 million, bringing the total debt‑reduction since the beginning of the restructuring to €1.3 billion. The company’s board, led by CEO Michael Baur, has set an overall target of decreasing the debt load by €4 billion to avoid excessive interest and repayment burdens.
The sale of Cefetra follows an earlier attempt to find a buyer that failed because the initial acquirer could not secure the necessary financing. The subsidiary had been acquired by BayWa in 2012 during a failed international expansion, and the purchase price at that time was also €125 million. Cefetra’s business focuses on grain trading, particularly supplying the livestock‑feed industry with soybeans.
The debt‑cutting plan includes the upcoming disposal of the publicly listed New Zealand apple producer Turners & Growers (T&G Global), which is expected to contribute an additional €300 million in debt reduction. At the same time, BayWa’s renewable‑energy arm BayWa r.e., in which the company holds a majority stake, has experienced a downturn as both U.S. and European demand for wind and solar projects has weakened.
In addition to structural changes, BayWa is investing in operational infrastructure. A new technical service centre has opened in Heilbronn, costing approximately €5 million. The facility, located on Gottlieb‑Daimler‑Straße, replaces an older workshop and expands the company’s service capacity for agricultural and municipal equipment. The centre includes eight assembly bays, a small‑equipment workshop, a crane capable of lifting eight tonnes, and environmentally safe oil management systems. It also provides a presentation hall and integrated office space for 15 employees, including five trainees, covering fields such as large‑scale equipment, wine and fruit‑tree technology, motor mechanics, and municipal equipment.
BayWa AG’s market presence is reflected in its trading activities across agriculture, building materials, and energy, with a focus on logistics and supplementary services. The company’s shares, listed on Xetra in euros, closed at €16 on 23 February 2026. The 52‑week high was €22.50 on 20 July 2025, and the 52‑week low was €6.92 on 19 October 2025. With a market capitalisation of approximately €1.03 billion and a price‑earnings ratio of –0.741, the stock is currently trading below earnings due to the ongoing restructuring efforts.
BayWa AG’s strategy aims to streamline operations, reduce debt, and strengthen its core business areas while preparing for a more sustainable long‑term financial position.
