Several Asian trading firms, including Mitsui & Co, Marubeni Corp and Noble Group, are in the running for U.S. grain and energy trader Gavilon, which could be valued at about $5 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. A deal for the commodities trader, which began exploring a sale in January, would give the Asian companies a sizable presence in key U.S. agriculture markets, including the third largest U.S. grains marketing network behind Archer Daniels Midland (ADM.N) and Cargill. Gavilon also has a large footprint in the U.S. fertilizer market, an energy operation that includes 7 million barrels of crude oil storage, plus a large oil, grains and ethanol trading desk.
