Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has signed a definitive agreement to sell the business and assets of Imperial Sugar to Florida-based agri-business U S Sugar.

The deal also includes brands of Imperial Sugar, which is retailed across the southern US.

Imperial Sugar president and CEO Mike Gorrell said: “Imperial Sugar has a strong company heritage and looks forward to joining the U S Sugar family.

“I am confident that the move will create production, logistics and supply chain synergies and efficiencies that will benefit both companies and our customers, as we continue to bring them the quality products and brands they know and expect.”

Operating a cane sugar refinery at Port Wentworth in Savannah, Georgia, and a sugar transfer and liquefaction facility in Ludlow, Kentucky, Imperial Sugar was acquired by LDC in 2012.

It sources raw cane sugar from Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean.

As one of the world’s top sugar merchandisers, LDC transports and markets raw and white sugars to key consumer markets globally.

It is also a top exporter of cotton, soybeans, wheat, and corn from the US.

LDC North America head Adrian Isman said: “We will continue our work to connect North America’s farmers to international markets, and to bring products to the region from around the world, as we have done for over 100 years.

“With more than 1,000 employees working at over 50 offices, ports, warehouses and processing facilities across the US and Canada, we remain firmly committed to leveraging our network and expertise to grow our business in the region.”

The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.

Completion of the deal is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and expected to close this year.