REUTERS / Viterra Inc., Canada s biggest grain handler, said on Nov. 8 that it has bought

Imperial Oil s commercial and farm fuels distribution business in the Prairie provinces.

Viterra, which already owns the country s biggest network of country grain elevators, along with port terminals, processing plants and farm retail outlets, will resell Imperial s Esso fuels throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Fuel is a natural extension to Viterra s service offerings and business model, said Doug Wonnacott, chief operating officer for agriproducts at Viterra.

The deal will benefit customers of both companies, said Brad Merkel, vice-president and general manager of fuels marketing for Imperial.

The agreement will take effect around Dec. 1 and follows a selection process by Imperial Oil. Terms were not announced.