SSG's CEO: From international fertilizer trading to investment and business development
From agricultural commodities and international trade to investment and sports leadership, Mr Nguyen Duc An Son has built a career that spans multiple industries and business environments.
Entering the Fertilizer Industry (2007)
Mr. Son began his career in agricultural commodities in 2007, representing the Philippines Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation in the Vietnamese market. The role marked the start of a long association with the fertilizer industry and international agricultural trade.
Country Manager at Mekatrade Asia
He then joined Mekatrade Asia Pte Ltd, a Switzerland-based trading house, as Country Manager. There, he directly managed the core fertilizer product groups, including NPK, DAP and ammonium sulphate, with annual sales exceeding 250,000 metric tons.
His role went well beyond trading. He oversaw distribution management, product planning, strategic marketing and farmer promotion programs for new products, building hands-on experience in developing distribution channels and lasting partner relationships.
Expanding into Investment
Beyond commodities, Mr. Son became an active investor. He co-founded Japan Vietnam Strategic Ventures (JAVIS) in partnership with Tokyo-based Japan Strategic Capital. Headquartered in Tokyo, JAVIS was established to identify investment opportunities in innovative Vietnamese technology companies.
Leadership in Boxing
Alongside his business activities, Mr. Son contributed to the development of sport in Ho Chi Minh City. He served as Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Boxing Federation and Head of the Organizing Committee of the HBF tournament, working to promote boxing across the city, nurture young talent and improve conditions for those involved in the sport.
Mr. Son is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, a discipline built on perseverance, self-discipline and the drive to push personal limits.
Leading SSG Investment Today
In parallel with these activities, Mr. Son and his partners built SSG, drawing on his experience in distribution, investment and international commodity trading, with the aim of connecting leading fertilizer producers with the fast-growing markets of Asia. The journey began with SSG International Pte Ltd in Singapore (2016), followed by SSG Investment in Vietnam (2019) and Rich Farm Agri Pty Ltd in Australia (2022).
Today, Mr. Son serves as Founder & CEO of SSG Investment. In less than ten years since its inception, SSG has traded a total of 3.8 million metric tons of cargo across 1,430 ships, including NPK, DAP, Urea, MOP, SOP and organic fertilizers sourced from Europe, China and CIS countries for customers in Vietnam. SSG now trades more than 500,000 metric tons each year.
SSG’s strength lies in combining deep industry experience, a global partner network and local market intelligence. Its team brings more than 25 years of combined experience, helping partners assess product and market fit across more than 30 countries and markets.
As SSG continues to expand into new markets, its commitment remains the same: to help partners navigate market complexities, to build bridges between producers and customers, and to be the most trusted partner in the industry.