CALGARY, Alberta -- Agrium Inc. (TSX and NYSE: AGU) announced today it is expanding its Retail operations into the Southern U.S. Plains through the acquisition of 32 retail outlets (18 farm centers and 14 satellites), from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).  The retail outlets are located in Kansas and Oklahoma and have annual crop input revenues of approximately $60-million.

“We believe that with margin improvements and working capital reductions this acquisition will be immediately accretive to earnings,” said Mike Wilson, Agrium President and CEO.  “We expect this acquisition to provide a platform for further expansion in the Southern U.S. Plains as we continue to deliver on our strategic growth objectives.”

Under the Agreement, Agrium will acquire the fixed retail storage and distribution assets and enter into an agreement for associated long-term leases for land.  ADM will continue to own and manage the grain assets at these locations. 

About Agrium
Agrium Inc. is a major Retail supplier of agricultural products and services in North and South America, a leading global Wholesale producer and marketer of all three major agricultural nutrients and the premier supplier of specialty fertilizers in North America through our Advanced Technologies business unit.  Agrium’s strategy is to grow across the value chain through acquisition, incremental expansion of its existing operations and through the development, commercialization and marketing of new products and international opportunities.  Our strategy places particular emphasis on growth opportunities that both increase and stabilize our earnings profile in the continuing transformation of Agrium.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including those referred to in the management discussion and analysis section of the Corporation’s most recent annual report to shareholders, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, weather conditions, future crop prices, future margins and sales volumes of crop inputs, future potential realized improvements to working capital, completion of the transaction as contemplated and the ability to successfully integrate the new assets into our existing retail business in an effective manner. Agrium disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information as a result of new information or future events. 

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