Südzucker operating profit improves in third quarter 2011/12

Südzucker AG Mannheim/Ochsenfurt, Mannheim, raised group revenues within the first nine months (1 March 2011 to 30 November 2011) of current financial year 2011/12 by around 12 percent from EUR 4,667 million to EUR 5,244 million. All segments reported higher revenues than the year prior in the third quarter. Group operating profit increased in the first three quarters by around EUR 170 million or 41 percent to EUR 586 (previous year: 416) million. The sugar segment's sharply higher operating profit trend extended into the third quarter. The special products segment also reported profit growth.

For financial year 2011/12 Südzucker still projects an increase of group revenues to around EUR 6.8 (previous year: 6.2) billion and an increase of group operating profit to around EUR 750 (previous year: 519) million. The sugar segment's revenues rose to EUR 2,811 (previous year: 2,536) million during the period under review. The increase was driven mainly by higher sugar sales revenues. Also the sugar segment's operating profit thus climbed to EUR 389 (previous year: 237) million. Because the EU is a net importer, higher world market prices are impacting the European market price level.

www.suedzucker.de