EANS-News: AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG / AGRANA launches joint venture in Egypt

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Joint Ventures/Cooperation/Collaboration

Wien (euro adhoc) - AGRANA will expand its presence in the Middle
East and Africa (MEA) with a production plant in Egypt in addition to
its existing facilities in Turkey and South Africa.

AGRANA and Nile Fruits, a group based in Egypt with a significant
track record in fruit processing in the Middle East and North Africa
(MENA) region, plan to set up a new joint venture company in the
first quarter 2010 and start production in the fourth quarter.

"This new joint venture constitutes an important strategic step
towards AGRANA´s expansion in the fast growing market for dairy
products in the Middle East and Africa. It will give us the
opportunity to supply international dairy companies producing in
Egypt, but also in the neighbouring countries, by taking advantage of
the favourable local production opportunities and the duty-free
access to these markets", explains Johann Marihart, CEO AGRANA
Beteiligungs-AG.

AGRANA Group AGRANA is the leading sugar company in Central and
Eastern Europe, a major supplier of special starch-based products in
Europe, and the largest producer of bioethanol in Austria and
Hungary. AGRANA´s Fruit division is the global leader in the
production of fruit preparations for the dairy products industry and
also one of Europe´s top producers of fruit juice concentrates. In
its 2008|09 financial year, AGRANA generated sales revenues of about
EUR 2 billion. The Group currently employs more than 8,000 personnel
at 52 facilities in 25 countries around the world.

Nile Fruits Group Nile Fruits Group is the largest independent fruit
ingredients manufacturer in the Middle East and North Africa region,
offering a product spectrum that encompasses a wide variety of
aseptic and frozen fruit purees, fruit concentrates, IQF fruits,
fruit for beverages, fruit preparation for dairy products, fruit
filling for bakery and pastry, and fruit syrup for ice cream produced
with the highest quality standard. The Group currently consists of
two processing facilities and one agri-business and employs 220
people, generating annual revenues of about EUR 23 million.

This press release is available in German and English at
www.agrana.com & www.nilefruits.com.

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Investor Realtions:

Mag. Maria Fally

Tel.: 01-21137-12905

maria.fally@agrana.com

Public Relations:

Mag. Ulrike Pichler

Tel.: 01-21137-12084

ulrike.pichler@agrana.com

Branche: Food
ISIN: AT0000603709
WKN: 779535
Index: WBI, ATX Prime
Börsen: Berlin / Präsenzhandel
Frankfurt / Präsenzhandel
Stuttgart / Präsenzhandel
Wien / official market