* AWB drops earlier recommendation for GrainCorp bid
* Agrium sees annual synergies of A$40 mln from deal
* GrainCorp interested in some AWB businesses - sources
* BHP bid for Potash highlights interest in agri-business (Adds details)
By Michael Smith
SYDNEY, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Canadian fertilizer maker Agrium Inc moved closer to securing its $1.07 billion takeover of Australia's AWB Ltd after the nation's largest wheat exporter formally backed the offer.
AWB dropped an earlier recommendation to support a lower bid by domestic rival GrainCorp and instead backed Agrium's A$1.50 cash offer, confirming an earlier Reuters report.
The move came as other players start circling Agrium to try and pick of some of AWB's operations, including its Australian commodities business, which the Canadian firm could seek to offload once a takeover is finalised.
The battle for AWB marks the latest round of consolidation in the grain industry of the world's fourth-largest wheat exporter. It also comes as BHP Billiton's hostile bid for Potash Corp underscores keen interest in the sector as demand for food grows.
GrainCorp remained interested in some AWB operations and approached Agrium over the weekend to try and broker a deal to buy the target's Australian commodities business, two sources close to the deal told Reuters.
Calgary-based Agrium rejected the approach but up to ten industry players were eyeing AWB operations which could be sold off.
"As you can imagine there have been a lot of telephone calls to the folks in Calgary. There are six to 10 organisations in Australia who are interested in that business," one industry source told Reuters.
Agrium chief executive Mike Wilson, who is scheduled to arrive in Australia this week, said earlier this month that he would consider divesting AWB's international commodity management business if his takeover plan succeeded.
BIG SAVINGS SEEN
Agrium said it expected the deal to generate annual synergies of A$40 million ($35.6 million) a year and would be earnings accretive from year one.
"We believe we will be able to generate synergies of A$40-million or more on an annual basis, with limited synergies realized in the first year, the majority in 2012 and the full amount obtained in 2013 and thereafter," Agrium said in a statement.
Agrium, which owns the largest retail network in North America and hopes to expand in Asia, wants to gain control of AWB's retail division Landmark Rural Services.
Industry sources said other big global competitors such as Canadian grain handler Viterra have also looked at AWB, which lost its monopoly over Australia's bulk wheat exports two years ago.
Viterra Inc told Reuters on Monday it was well-positioned for further deals and continues to seek them, but Chief Executive Mayo Schmidt would not comment on the possibility of bidding for AWB.
Viterra acquired ABB last year, giving it control of South Australia's main grain storage and handling facilities.
Analysts said asset sales were possible.
"There is the absolute possibility they will on-sell the commodities business," Wilson HTM analyst James Ferrier said.
AWB shares closed 0.7 percent down at A$1.46. The benchmark index ended 1.1 percent lower. ($1=1.120 Australian Dollar) (Editing by Lincoln Feast)