Keytrade AG, a company founded in Switzerland in May 1997, was established by senior mineral fertilizer traders who worked in the sector for several decades.
Global
Today, our employees in various offices around the world, together with our agents, cater to the needs of suppliers, distributors, retailers and end-users in more than 115 countries and across all fertilizer products.
Reliable
We are dedicated to maintain our status as the preferred business partner. Our mission is to provide a profitable environment for our customers and suppliers while fulfilling their requirements through reliable, prompt and trustworthy performance.
Responsible
We are committed to provide all of our services in full compliance with all laws and regulations of the countries in which we operate. We choose to do business with suppliers, buyers, agents and other business partners who meet our ethical and compliance standards.
Founders
Melih Keyman
Melih Keyman is the original founder of KEYTRADE. Prior to founding KEYTRADE, he held leading positions in ENKA Marketing of Turkey and Transammonia, always working in the fertilizer sector. A native of Turkey and also a citizen of Switzerland, Mr. Keyman has been living in Zurich since 1984.
Andreas Vaterlaus
Andreas Vaterlaus, a Swiss citizen, joined KEYTRADE in 1997 as one of the four founding partners. Prior to his employment with KEYTRADE, he served in senior positions in the forwarding and logistics industry and with Transammonia in the fertilizer sector.
Partners
Kurt Avunduk
Kurt Avunduk has worked since 2010 in the fertilizer industry. He is the product manager for phosphates and procures P&K worldwide. Before joining KEYTRADE, Kurt worked in sales for large conventions and exhibitions organized in Turkey. Kurt Avunduk has a degree in Finance and marketing and an MBA.
Monica Benavente
Monica Benavente joined KEYTRADE in 2011 as Legal Counsel. Prior joining KEYTRADE, she worked as Legal Counsel at the European Headquarters of a leading photovoltaic manufacturing company. Monica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, a Postgraduate in Maritime Law and a Master of Laws, LLM, from the Northwestern University of Chicago. Since 2016, she is also a Collaborator Professor in the Master in Lawyering at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC). She has double nationality, she is Spanish and also a Swiss citizen.
Cornelia Bircher
Cornelia Bircher, a Swiss citizen, joined KEYTRADE in 2011. Prior to joining KEYTRADE, she was working for 5 years in an international steel trading company. Ms. Cornelia Bircher is responsible for various European and CIS countries for both, sourcing and sales.
Errol Brandt
Errol Brandt, a Swiss citizen, joined KEYTRADE in 2000. Prior to joining KEYTRADE, he held several senior positions in Ernst & Young and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
Ignacio Gonzalez
Ignacio Gonzalez, known to his friends as Iggy, has been in the fertilizer industry since 2009 and joined Keytrade North America in 2019. Prior to joining Keytrade, Iggy held trading roles at several leading fertilizer trading companies. Today, Iggy leads Keytrade North America’s team in Tampa.
Juan Manuel Gonzalez
Juan Manuel Gonzalez joined KEYTRADE in July 2000 as head of European trade. In 2006 he moved to Tampa to rebuild and manage the Latin American office for the company. Since 2010 he is back in Switzerland and added supervisory responsibilities over KEYTRADE'S Asian offices. A native of Spain, he started working in the fertilizer industry in 1997 in market research and wholesaling positions at German and Spanish companies. Today Mr. Gonzalez is the CEO of WeGrow AG, KEYTRADE’s designated entity for controlled and precision agriculture.
Roger Hartmann
Roger Hartmann, a Swiss citizen, joined KEYTRADE in 2011. After his studies at the University of Zurich he worked for several years for PriceWaterhouseCoopers in the financial services area, prior to joining KEYTRADE. Roger Hartmann holds a master degree in finance and is a Swiss Certified Public Accountant.
Anthony Jezzi
Anthony Jezzi is the CEO of KEYTRADE FERTILIZANTES BRASIL, with a career spanning close to 34 years in the agri-business sector. Prior setting up KEYTRADE’s operations in Brazil in 2019, he represented KEYTRADE AG for 18 years as an executive of Laferlins Ltda (Brazil’s largest cotton brokerage firm, also active in sugar, ethanol and fertilizers). Anthony is a Brazilian citizen who started his career as a cotton trader at Bunge y Born and later was transferred to their fertilizer division where he held senior positions. Today, Anthony is responsible for all operations in Brazil and also KEYTRADE’s business in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile.
Ahmet Keyman
Ahmet Keyman is the urea product manager for KEYTRADE. Following his studies at Northwestern University and the Kellogg School of Management, Ahmet Keyman has joined KEYTRADE in 2012 and has had roles in the Singapore and Zurich offices. Born in Turkey, Ahmet is also a Swiss citizen.
René Leuenberger
René Leuenberger joined KEYTRADE in May 2011 as Legal Counsel. Prior to joining KEYTRADE, he worked in one of the leading law firms in Switzerland and in the financial services industry for several years. René Leuenberger is an attorney at law and holds a Bachelor and Master in Law from the University of Bern, Switzerland. In addition, he graduated from the Bern University of Applied Sciences with a Bachelor in Business Administration
Marcus Souza
Marcus Souza, a Brazilian citizen, has worked since 2008 in the fertilizer industry and joined KEYTRADE in 2013. With extensive experience in the Brazilian market obtained after working for international companies on both the sales and the sourcing/logistics sides of the fertilizer supply chain, Marcus Souza is responsible for the commercial activities in Brazil. Marcus Souza holds a bachelor’s degree in international Trade and a postgraduate in International Marketing.
Board of Directors
Steve Wilson, Chairman
Mr. Wilson is the retired Chairman and CEO of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. He joined CF Industries as Chief Financial Officer in 1991 following a 16 year career with Inland Steel Industries. He became the President and CEO in 2003 and Chairman in 2005 following the company's initial public offering. CF Industries is the world's largest producer of nitrogen fertilizers. Mr. Wilson, a US citizen, retired from CF Industries in 2014 and currently serves on the board of GATX Corporation, based in the United States.
Thomas van Berkel, Vice-Chairman
Mr. van Berkel is the retired President and CEO of Nitrex AG and Nitrex-Complex. He also served as the managing director of EFMA (European Fertiliser Manufacturer’s Association) in Brussels from 1988 until 1995. He studied Economics at the University of Amsterdam and taught at the Institute for Social Sciences in the Netherlands. He joined the Board of KEYTRADE in 2008 after his retirement.
Peter B. Arnold, Member
Peter B. Arnold, is the founding member of the corporate and commercial Swiss law firm ARNOLD LEGAL LTD with offices in Zurich and Zug. He has dealt with business and commercial law matters on an international scale for over 20 years, and holds memberships as non-executive director in Swiss and foreign enterprises and corporate organisations. His main fields of engagement within the directorship mandates have been coaching, development, structuring and reorganization of start-up, small- and mid-cap companies. Mr. Arnold has an international educational background and graduated from Law School at Zurich University. By profession he qualifies as a registered attorney admitted to the Swiss Bars of Zurich and Zug as well as a commissioned civil law Notary of the Canton of Zug in Switzerland.
Melih Keyman, Member
Melih Keyman is the original founder of KEYTRADE. Prior to founding KEYTRADE, he held leading positions in ENKA Marketing of Turkey and Transammonia, always working in the fertilizer sector. A native of Turkey and also a citizen of Switzerland, Mr. Keyman has been living in Zurich since 1984.
Andreas Vaterlaus, Member
Andreas Vaterlaus, a Swiss citizen, joined KEYTRADE in 1997 as one of the four founding partners. Prior to his employment with KEYTRADE, he served in senior positions in the forwarding and logistics industry and with Transammonia in the fertilizer sector.
Traders
Europe, middle east & Africa (Thalwil, Switzerland)
Kurt Avunduk - Senior Vice president Trading
Kurt Avunduk has worked since 2010 in the fertilizer industry. He is the product manager for phosphates and procures phosphates & potash worldwide. Before joining KEYTRADE, Kurt worked in sales for large conventions and exhibitions organized in Turkey. Kurt Avunduk has a degree in finance and marketing and an MBA.
Market coverage: MENA, FSU, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines
Ahmet Keyman – Senior Vice President Trading
Ahmet Keyman is the urea product manager for KEYTRADE. Following his studies at Northwestern University and the Kellogg School of Management, Ahmet Keyman joined KEYTRADE in 2012 and held different roles in the Singapore and Zurich offices. Born in Turkey, Ahmet is also a Swiss citizen.
Market coverage: North Africa, Middle East, Indonesia, FSU
Pascal Rabier – CEO Keytrade Africa
Pascal Rabier is the original founder of KEYTRADE AFRICA SA. Prior joining KEYTRADE group he held trading positions at SCPA and has been working in the fertilizer industry since 2000. Having lived and worked in Africa, Pascal has a unique expertise of local African fertilizer markets. A native of France he has been living in Zurich since 2011.
Market coverage: Sub-Saharan Africa
Cornelia Bircher – Vice President Trading
Cornelia Bircher, a Swiss citizen, joined KEYTRADE in 2011. Prior to joining KEYTRADE, she was working for 5 years in an international steel trading company. Ms. Cornelia Bircher is responsible for various European and CIS countries for both, sourcing and sales.
Market coverage: Europe & Israel
Tomasz Kozlowski - Commercial director Trading
Tomasz Kozlowski joined KEYTRADE in 2004 and first held traffic and then trading roles in KEYTRADE's Polish office. In 2015, Tomasz left the fertilizer industry and worked in purchasing and sales for a producer in another industry, cooperating with the largest retail chains throughout Europe. In 2023, Tomasz rejoined KEYTRADE to cover Eastern European and the Baltic regions.
Market coverage: Continental Europe & Baltics
China, korea & vietnam (beijing, China)
Li Juan Wang – Vice President China & Representative
Lijuan Wang worked in KEYTRADE’s Beijing office since its establishment in 1999. She is the Vice President and Representative, responsible for KEYTRADE’s China business. Prior to joining KEYTRADE, she held senior positons in Sinofert and had worked at Sinochem/ Sinofert/ Dohigh for 15 years covering all kinds of fertilizer products. She graduated at the University of International Business & Economics in Beijing with a bachelor degree in Economics in 1984 and also holds a Diploma on MBA Program at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada in 1989.
Market coverage: China, Korea & Vietnam
Lena Song – Commercial Director Trading
Lena Song has worked in the fertilizer industry since 2005. Lena Song has a bachelor’s degree in International Economics and Trade at Peking University. Ms Lena Song is responsible for China for both sourcing and sales.
Market coverage: China, Korea & Vietnam
India (New delhi, india)
VENKITESWARAN Sivaraman - Manager Business & Logistics
Venkiteswaran Sivaraman (Venkit), an Indian citizen, joined KEYTRADE in 2012. Venkit carries a total of 37 years of work experience with reputable global brands, of which 25 years have been in the fertilizer industry. Prior to joining KEYTRADE, Venkit spent 10 years in fertilizer trading with ICEC Corp. During his first 6 years of his professional career, Venkit worked with Unilever India, in the fast-moving consumer goods space. Apart from fertilizer trading, Venkit has had an international exposure in the healthcare sector, being based out of Kuwait for 6 years. Venkit is responsible for KEYTRADE's liaison office in India.
Market coverage: India
North america (Tampa, USA)
Ignacio gonzalez - Vice President Trading
Ignacio Gonzalez, known to his friends as Iggy, has been in the fertilizer industry since 2009 and joined Keytrade North America in 2019. Prior to joining Keytrade, Iggy held trading roles at several leading fertilizer trading companies. Today, Iggy leads Keytrade North America’s team in Tampa.
Market coverage: USA & Canada
Alexander Dye - Commercial Director
Alex Dye has been in the fertilizer industry since 2010 and joined Keytrade North America in June of 2023. Prior to joining Keytrade, Alex held various sales, logistics, and trading roles at leading agricultural commodity companies. Today, Alex trades the USA and Canada markets and is responsible for expanding Keytrade North America’s commercial business in the USA.
Market coverage: USA & Canada
brazil (sao paulo, brazil)
Anthony jezzi - CEO Keytrade Fertilizantes Brasil ltda.
Anthony Jezzi is the CEO of KEYTRADE FERTILIZANTES BRASIL, with a career spanning close to 34 years in the agri-business sector. Prior setting up KEYTRADE’s operations in Brazil in 2019, he represented KEYTRADE AG for 18 years as an executive of Laferlins Ltda (Brazil’s largest cotton brokerage firm, also active in sugar, ethanol and fertilizers). Anthony is a Brazilian citizen who started his career as a cotton trader at Bunge y Born and later was transferred to their fertilizer division where he held senior positions. Today, Anthony is responsible for all operations in Brazil and also KEYTRADE’s business in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile.
Market coverage: Brazil
Marcus souza - Commercial Director Trading
Marcus Souza, a Brazilian citizen, has worked since 2008 in the fertilizer industry and joined KEYTRADE in 2013. With extensive experience in the Brazilian market obtained after working for international companies on both the sales and the sourcing/logistics sides of the fertilizer supply chain, Marcus Souza is responsible for the commercial activities in Brazil. Marcus Souza holds a bachelor’s degree in international Trade and a postgraduate in International Marketing.
Market coverage: Brazil
Spanish speaking latin america (buenos aires, argentina)
Matias trotta - Commercial director Trading
Matias has worked in the space ever since he left the University as a graduate in Agricultural Administration. At the Bank Boston he spend almost 10 years in the Agribusiness sector, lending funds to farmers as well as developing vendor programs with agriculture machinery companies. During his 2 year employment with Productos Sudamericanos, a grain exporter company, he was visiting farmers needing farm inputs. Matias then spend 4 years at Del Monte Fresh Produce, a company with inputs distribution including grain storage facilities and farming in rented land. Before joining KEYTRADE, he worked 11 years for Louis Dreyfus Company as Regional Inputs Manager for South Latam Region, including a 2 year tenure as General Manager for the Fertilizer Business in Australia.
Market coverage: Argentina, Chile, Uruguay & Paraguay
Carlos Payares - Commercial Director Trading
Carlos is Colombian citizen and working in the Fertilizer industry since 2015. He has a degree in business administration with further studies in International Logistics. Before joining the fertilizer Industry, he worked in Petrochemical and Oil & Gas Industry for 8 Years.
Market coverage: Central America, South America & Spain
