Louis Dreyfus picks ex-Viterra head as new CEO

PARIS, Nov 29 (Reuters): Louis Dreyfus Commodities named Mayo Schmidt, former head of Canadian grain handler Viterra, as its new chief executive in the latest stage of a corporate shake-up at the global trading firm.

Louis Dreyfus, one of a quartet of "ABCD" companies that dominate agricultural commodity trading alongside Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge and Cargill, is trying to sustain growth as the big four vie with newcomers such as Glencore to acquire agricultural assets.

Schmidt will assume his role on Jan. 5, taking over from interim Chief Executive Officer Claude Ehlinger, who will become deputy CEO in addition to his existing role of finance director, Louis Dreyfus said on Friday.