March 26/New York/Wall Street Journal  -- J. M. Smucker Co. says it paid $35 million for a minority interest in Guilin Seamild Biologic Technology Development Co. (Seamild), a privately owned maker and seller of oats products based in Guilin in the Guangxi province of China.

The Orrville, Ohio, food company said the transcation marks "an exciting first step as we look to develop a meaningful presence in China over time."

 From the March 27, 2012, Prepared Foods’ Daily Update