Plymouth-based Mosaic Co. is reportedly in talks to buy Mexican fertilizer maker Grupo Fertinal SA in a deal that could be worth up to $1 billion.
The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported the possible deal Monday, saying that Mosaic is seen as the most likely buyer for Grupo Fertinal, one of Latin America's biggest fertilizer companies.
Any deal would expand Mosaic's access to phosphate rock for its North American fertilizer business, the Journal reported.
Mosaic, which is 64 percent owned by Cargill, is one of the world's biggest producers of phosphate and potash fertilizers.
It mines phosphate rock in Florida, and potash in Saskatchewan, New Mexico and Michigan. Mosaic has customers in more than 40 countries.
The company declined to comment on the Journal report.
MIKE HUGHLETT
