ASATRATA’s sugar plants successfully finished sugar production season, and produced over 370 thousand tonnes of high quality white sugar (+85% y-o-y) while processed 2,6 mln. tonnes of sugar beet (+65% y-o-y). Average sugar extraction ratio was 14.5% (12.7% - in 2010) which is significantly higher than Ukrainian average. Narkevychi sugar plant provided the highest sugar yield among the Group's plants – 14.9%.

This year ASTARTA harvested 2,1 mln. tonnes of sugar beet (+75% y-o-y) and doubled production of grains and oilseeds which constituted 660 ths. tonnes. Significant increase in production was driven by land bank enlargement and dynamic improvement in key crops’ yields. Highest growth in yields demonstrated corn (+46 y-o-y), soybeans (+44% y-o-y) and sugar beet (+43% y-o-y).

Milk production grew by 35% y-o-y and totaled 69 ths. tonnes. Number of cattle headcount increased by 17% to 28 ths. heads and milking cows – by 23% to 14 ths. heads.

The Group expanded its land bank, increased productivity of the sugar plants, commissioned grain storage capacities and modern facilities in cattle farming segment. Much of attention was paid to energy efficiency: natural gas consumption was reduced at all key plants by 10%.

Comment of Viktor Ivanchyk, CEO of ASTARTA Holding N. V.:
“We are satisfied with this year’ production results, most of the targets, set at the beginning of the year, were surpassed. In 2012 we will keep following our development strategy, while taking into account situation in financial and commodities markets, and will strongly concentrate on cost reduction and increase in production efficiency”.