CHICAGO — Archer Daniels Midland Co. said it is investing in substantial improvements and expansions to its port facilities in Puerto San Martin in the Argentine state of Santa Fe, enhancing the company’s capability to export grain and other agricultural products from the region. The improvements, which will include the construction of a new berth for barge discharge and the addition of storage capacity, are expected to be complete by early 2016.

“From acquiring full ownership of our Black Sea terminals, to quadrupling the capacity at our port in northern Brazil, to this enhancement of our capabilities in Argentina, we are executing on our plan to diversify and expand our trade and origination territory,” said Joe Taets, president of ADM’s Agricultural Services business unit.

The current export facilities in Puerto San Martin have an annual throughput of approximately 2 million tonnes. According to ADM, the improvements will increase annual capacity by 25%, to 2.5 million tonnes. ADM said the expansion will allow it to reduce its reliance on third-party facilities, which today are limiting the company’s ability to export increasing volumes from Paraguay.