World Grain - January 2023 - 22

new era at
by Arvin Donley
Prior to the
Russia-Ukraine
conflict,
Nibulon was
exporting
nearly 1 million
tonnes of grain
per year.
A
ndriy Vadatursky was recently named chief
executive officer of Nibulon, succeeding his
late father, Oleksiy Vadatursky, as the leader
of one of Ukraine's largest agricultural companies.
Oleksiy Vadatursky, the longtime owner and CEO of
Nibulon, was killed on July 31 in his home during a
bombing of Mykolaiv, a city in the country's southern
region, by Russian forces. His wife, Raisa Vadatursky,
who was with him in their home, also was killed.
Oleksiy Vadatursky, who also was vice president
of the Ukrainian Grain Association, was recognized
as a Hero of Ukraine, the highest honor a citizen
of the country can receive. Vadatursky was one of
the richest businessmen in Ukraine, having founded
Nibulon, one of the country's largest agricultural
companies, in 1991 and turning it into a major player
in the global grain industry. Nibulon, which has an
annual turnover of approximately $700 million, is
among the 20 largest companies in Ukraine. In recent
years prior to the Russian invasion, which began
Feb. 24, Nibulon was exporting nearly 1 million
tonnes of grain per quarter.
In an exclusive interview with World Grain, Andriy
Vadatursky reflected on his father's legacy, the toll the
war has taken on the company and his determination to
see Nibulon through this difficult time.
WG: First, please accept our condolences for the
loss of your parents. How did you learn of their pass22
ing?
Were you aware that he was a potential target of
the Russian military?
Mr. Vadatursky: I was in France when I received
the call that a Russian missile had destroyed my parents'
home and my mother had been killed. After three
hours, we learned that my father was killed as well.
When I heard the news, I kissed my children and immediately
began to drive to Ukraine. It has, obviously,
been an unspeakable personal tragedy for me and my
family. The death of my parents has been an enormous
loss for Ukraine as well. My father was a true Hero of
Ukraine and a titan of the agricultural sector. He leaves
an enormous legacy that I will strive to nurture and develop
in the years ahead.
WG: It's been reported that the bombing of their
residence may have been intentional. Was your father
considered a threat to the Russian governement?
Mr. Vadatursky: The Security Service of Ukraine
is conducting an official investigation, and I have provided
them with all the evidence. There are arguments
on both sides as to whether the strike was a tragic
coincidence or a deliberate attack. I've also hired independent
international investigators to shed light on
what really happened. My parents' death, as well as the
deaths of three Nibulon employees killed in a missile
attack on our civil boats, shows Russia's approach to
destroying the agricultural sector - one of Ukraine's
greatest strengths.
January 2023 / World Grain / World-Grain.com
NIBULON
Andriy Vadatursky talks with World Grain about his
late father's legacy and the challenges that lie ahead
Photo courtesy of Nibulon
http://www.World-Grain.com
World Grain - January 2023

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