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Management change at Nordic Sugar

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:25:00 +0100

Thomas B. Olsen, who since 2009 has headed up Nordic Sugar as Managing Director and member of the Extended Board of Nordic Sugar’s parent company Nordzucker AG, has decided to resign from his position and will leave the company as per 15 March 2012. Since he joined the company in 1988, Thomas B. Olsen has handled several management positions, including as a member of the Management Board of Nordic Sugar since 2005. Through his career he has played a key role in developing Nordic Sugar as a market leader in the Nordic and Baltic sugar markets, as well as in the integration of Nordic Sugar in the Nordzucker Group. Mats Liljestam, CMO and member of the Executive Board of Nordzucker, has been appointed acting Managing Director of Nordic Sugar on a temporary basis.

For further information:
Mats Liljestam, CMO, Nordzucker AG, tel. 3266 2500
Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588 /
+45 4011 6695

Nordic Sugar achieves record production

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:11:00 +0100

The 2011/12 production campaign has come to an end at Nordic Sugar’s sugar factories. The output totalled approx. 1,050,000 tonnes of sugar (2010/11: 841,000 tonnes), hitting an all-time high. The strong result was achieved on the back of a high level of efficiency in the processing of a bumber beet crop at all Nordic Sugar’s factories in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania.

Managing Director Thomas B. Olsen comments: “We have indeed seen an abundant sugar beet crop this year. Even at the start of the campaign, we forecast an above-average production but still the output for the year exceeds our expectations. Hardly any other crop showed record growth in 2011 in our region, but the weather conditions during the summer and autumn and the mild winter were close to ideal for sugar beet.” “A bumper beet crop does not do the job alone, however. Our factories have performed very successfully despite the extra pressure of handling the extraordinary volumes of raw materials, so the production campaign now ended has been a success on all accounts.” Nordic Sugar primarily supplies the Nordic and Baltic markets. The EU quota for sale of sugar to the EU food industry is unchanged, but the the 2011/12 record output has helped Nordic Sugar to expand its exports to markets outside the EU. ”This is of course a very positive situation for us. We are enjoying stable
demand in our main markets, and in the world market prices are higher than normal.

For further information:
Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2500, or
Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588 / +45 4011 6695

Effektiv sockerproduktion ger mer fjärrvärme

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:48:00 +0100

Det välutbyggda fjärrvärmenätet i Eslöv-Lund-Lomma gör det möjligt att ta tillvara spillvärme från Nordic Sugar Örtofta. Under den just avslutade betkampanjen har fabriken i Örtofta levererat cirka 95 GWh spillvärme till fjärrvärmekunderna, vilket är en ökning med mer än 30 procent mot 2010/2011 års kampanj. Detta motsvarar årsvärmeförbrukningen för cirka 4800 villor, eller cirka 13 procent av befolkningen i Eslöv-Lund-Lomma.

- Spillvärmen från Nordic Sugar är en del i vårt arbete att bli en klimatneutral koncern. Vi arbetar ständigt med att hitta lösningar som gör att fjärrvärmen blir bättre och bättre. Att ta tillvara värme som annars gått till spillo är fjärrvärmenätets styrka och det som gör det till en så fantastisk miljölösning, säger Lena Nordenbro, miljöchef för Lunds Energikoncernen AB.

De ökade värmeleveranserna är framförallt ett resultat av en längre betkampanj, att vädret varit milt och att fabrikens interna värmekonsumtion därmed varit lägre. Örtoftas leverans har varit mycket stabil med få driftstopp och med hög levererad effekt.

- Det är den rekordhöga sockerbetsskörden, tillsammans med att vi haft en stabil drift med den högsta genomsnittliga betavverkningen per dygn i fabrikens historia, som har möjliggjort den stora värmeleveransen. Det är mycket glädjande att Nordic Sugar på det här sättet kan bidra till en så stor miljövinst, säger Bengt Högberg, fabriksdirektör, Nordic Sugar Örtofta.

För ytterligare information vänligen kontakta:

Lena Nordenbro, miljöchef för Lunds Energikoncernen AB (publ)
046-212 77 05 alt. 070-283 07 77, lena.nordenbro@lundsenergikoncernen.se

Bengt Högberg, fabriksdirektör Nordic Sugar Örtofta,
046-540 63 86 alt. 0709-53 96 86, bengt.hogberg@nordicsugar.com

Bra år för svensk sockerproduktion

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:08:00 +0100

Produktionskampanjen 2011/12 på Nordic Sugars största fabrik i Örtofta har just avslutats med ett resultat i topp. Produktionen uppgår till 389 000 ton socker (2010/11 315 000 ton). Johan Neikell, VD, Nordic Sugar AB säger i en kommentar:
- Det är en mycket bra produktionskampanj vi nu har satt punkt för. Fabriken har kört bra och vi har haft en stabil och hög medelavverkningstakt, långt över tidigare års toppnoteringar. Den stora betskörden, som betytt att produktionskampanjen blev ett par veckor längre än normalt har säkerställt en stor sockerproduktion av hög kvalitet.
- Sveriges och EUs produktionskvot för socker, det vill säga den mängd socker som finns tillgänglig för försäljning till livsmedelskonsumtion inom EU, ligger dock kvar på samma nivå som de senaste åren. Det innebär att det även under 2012 behöver importeras väsentliga mängder socker till EU från världsmarknaden. Det är sommarens gynnsamma växtbetingelser med omväxlande regnig och varm väderlek, följt av goda skördebetingelser i oktober och november som har lagt grunden för det goda resultatet i Sverige. - Betgrödan har än en gång visat sin stabilitet och styrka att kunna dra nytta av en lång växtsäsong. Några betodlare har nått upp till toppnivåer på 15 ton socker per hektar, vilket är en god bit på väg mot Nordic Sugars mål om 20 ton socker per hektar för de 20 procenten bästa odlarna 2020.
- En stor produktionsvolym sätter naturligtvis tryck på fabrikens alla delar. Inte minst på utlastningskapacitet och paketeringsanläggning. Detta har hanterats mycket effektivt bland annat med hjälp av en ny säckningslinje som togs i drift i inför kampanjen. Nordic Sugars sockerproduktion 2011/12 i Sverige:

Produktion 2011/12 (ton socker)	Produktion 2010/11 (ton socker)	Polsockerskörd (ton socker/ha)	Sockerkvot 2011/12 (ton socker)
389 000	315 000	10,6 (8,9)	293 000

Produktion 2011/12
(ton socker)

Produktion 2010/11
(ton socker)

Polsockerskörd

(ton socker/ha)

Sockerkvot 2011/12
(ton socker)

389 000

315 000

10,6 (8,9)

293 000

För ytterligare information
Johan Neikell, VD, Nordic Sugar AB, tel +46 40 537157
Mariann Mellström, informatör, Nordic Sugar, tel +46 40 537124 Ladda ner pressmeddelande som pdf

Nordic Sugar welcomes positive scientific opinion

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:24:00 +0100

Nordic Sugar can offer food manufacturers a new opportunity to sharpen their health profile using Fibrex® sugar beet fibre.
New scientific evidence has convinced the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel that sugar beet fibre has a positive effect on bowel function and regularity and counteracts constipation.
As a result, EFSA has issued a positive scientific opinion on a digestive health claim for the natural fibre source.
Chance to differentiate
This means manufacturers of food products containing minimum 6% fibre, equivalent to 9% Fibrex®, will soon be able to include a digestive health claim on packaging.
“The nutritious and functional properties of Fibrex® have attracted growing interest from the food industry in recent years. This positive scientific opinion provides a new opportunity for manufacturers of baked goods, cereals and cereal bars to differentiate their products,” says Lars-Erik Hansson, Business Manager at Nordic Sugar.
Unique fibre balance
Fibrex® is widely recognised as a source of dietary fibre due to its unique balance of soluble and insoluble fibre. Free of gluten and with an outstanding water-binding capacity, it also contributes to soft and appealing gluten-free bread and succulent burgers that keep their shape during frying.
Before using digestive health claims on product labels, manufacturers must ensure that they follow national guidelines. The European Commission is expected to take the final decision on the sugar beet fibre health claim during 2012. For further information:
Lars-Erik Hansson, Business Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2727/+46 709 537047 or e-mail: lars-erik.hansson@nordicsugar.com Download Press release as pdf

Sprængning af sukkersilo i Assens

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:15:00 +0100

I forbindelse med afviklingen af virksomhedens aktiviteter i Assens forventes det nu, at der gennemføres en ny sprængning af den ene sukkersilo ved Nordic Sugars tidligere sukkerfabrik midt næste uge. Nordic Sugar havde frem til 2006 sukkerproduktion i Assens og har indtil for nylig anvendt to sukkersiloer i området som lagerfaciliteter. Da siloerne nu ikke længere er i brug, samarbejder Nordic Sugar med nedbrydningsfirmaet Preben Hockerup om at bortsprænge siloerne. Efter at Preben Hockerup i tirsdags gennemførte et mislykket sprængningsforsøg, forbereder firmaet efter en række nøje forundersøgelser næste sprængning til fredag den 16. december. Der er i forbindelse med sprængningerne oprettet en sikkerhedszone i samarbejde med politiet, som blandt andet omfatter evakuering af 26 borgere med bopæl i nærområdet, og denne zone opretholdes, indtil sprængningen er gennemført. Det betyder, at de 26 naboer vil være indkvarteret på hotel i samme periode. Nordic Sugar beklager dybt den gene, som sprængningsarbejdet har forsaget for naboerne til silopladsen og for andre, der har haft ærinder og arrangementer i området, som har måttet aflyses på grund af sikkerhedsforanstaltningerne. Vi vil gerne takke for den tålmodighed og forståelse, vi har mødt i Assens. For yderligere oplysninger:
Kommunikationschef Dorthe Lindgreen, Nordic Sugar A/S, tlf. 3266 2588 / 4011 6695

NP Sweet ready to launch low-calorie sweeteners after EU approval of stevia

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:00:00 +0100

The European Commission has given the green light for using stevia (steviol glycosides) in food and beverages in the EU as from 2 December 2011.
From then onwards, NP Sweet, a joint venture between Nordic Sugar’s parent company Nordzucker and the world’s leading stevia producer PureCircle, will start offering a range of stevia products, as well as combinations of stevia and sugar, to producers in the food and beverage industries. The sugar-stevia concepts will be marketed under the SteviaSucrose brand. Stevia is a nature-based no-calorie sweetener, which is 200 - 400 sweeter than sugar.
“The products we will be offering will provide food and beverage producers with an attractive opportunity to reduce the energy content of their end-products using only nature’s own sweetening agents, explains Lars Bo Jørgensen, General Manager of NP Sweet, and adds,
“We have worked on developing these products over the past year, and our concept has met with a highly positive response from several producers. We see particular potential in our combinations of stevia and sugar because, used alone, stevia has an off-taste, which sugar can help to mask. This enables the manufacture of great tasting products with a low energy content. In the stevia / sugar combinations we have developed, the energy content has been reduced by 30 to-50 per cent."
NP Sweet, which is based at Nordic Sugar’s head office in Copenhagen, will market its products in Northern and Eastern Europe, Germany and the Netherlands. For further information:
Lars Bo Jørgensen, General Manager, NP Sweet A/S, tel. +45 2966 3668
Dorthe Lindgreen, kommunikationschef, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588 /+45 4011 6695

Positive forecast for 2011 sugar production

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:39:00 +0200

In early September, the 2011 sugar production will start up at Nordic Sugar's factories, and the year's full production will be completed during the next approx 4 months. This year, the sugar beet have had a near perfect start to the growing season. A very warm period after sowing propelled growth, and the summer has also seen a favourable plant development. The periods of heavy rain, in Denmark and Sweden in particular, had only a modest impact on the beet, contrary to other crops.

Nordic Sugar's first beet harvest forecasts indicate a sugar output above the average for the past five years.

Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director of Nordic Sugar A/S, comments:
“We are of course highly pleased at the prospect of a large sugar output; not least since we are seeing an increase in demand in our markets currently, which is mainly due to a tight supply situation in the world market for sugar. The fact that several farmers have chosen to expand their beet growing area this year is also a positive and important signal essential to the further development of our industry.

Table 1:
Nordic Sugar produces sugar in four countries. The results of the first beet samples are listed below. The average for the past five years appears in parentheses.

	Tonnes beet per ha	% sugar in beet	Tonnes sugar per ha
Denmark	68.2 (52.1)	14.9 (14.7)	10.17 (7.66)
Sweden	60.6 (48.7)	15.1 (13.8)	9.15 (6.81)
Finland	47.3 (29.7)	13.4 (13.8)	6.33 (4.05)
Lithuania	59.3 (44.7)	14.0 (14.1)	8.34 (6.28)

Table 2:
The 2011 production season – known as the beet campaign – starts in the first weeks of September at Nordic Sugar's factories:

Factory	Campaign start-up
Nakskov, DK	15.09.2011
Nykøbing, DK	15.09.2011
Örtofta, SE	10.09.2011
Säkylä, FI	26.09.2011
Kedainiai, LT	8.09.2011

For further information:
Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2500, or
Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications/Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588 / +45 4011 6695 Download Press release as pdf

Nordic Sugar sells Spanish-based seed unit

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:49:00 +0100

Nordic Sugar has today concluded an agreement with the German-based seed company Strube GmbH & Co. KG for the sale of the company’s shareholding in Maribo Seed España S.A.U., a producer of sunflower seed. The parties have agreed not to disclose the sales price.

The agreement, which covers all the sunflower seed breeding and distribution activities of Maribo Seed España S.A.U., enters into force with retroactive effect as from 1 March 2011.

For further information:

Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2500, or Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications/Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588 / +45 4011 6695 Nordic Sugar sells Spanish-based seed unit - down load press release as pdf

Winter weather challenged the 2010/11 sugar production

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:07:00 +0100

In the 2010/11 campaign, Nordic Sugar’s five sugar factories in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania produced a total of 841,000 tonnes of sugar (2009/10: 1,013,000 tonnes). The result meets expectations of an output in excess of Nordic Sugar’s total EU quota, even though periods of severe frost and large snow volumes posed operational challenges during the final stages of the campaign in all four countries. In Denmark for instance, the sugar beet supply to the factories had to be slowed down towards the end of the campaign as a result of breaks in the beet harvest due to frozen soil.

“Overall, we are pleased with this year’s production results, not least in the light of the weather-induced hurdles we’ve had to handle,” comments Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, Nordic Sugar A/S. “Our factories have run a fine campaign with high reliability and have efficiently overcome the weather-related impact arising in the last part of the campaign. For instance, snow and frost occasionally made the beet supply to the factories an intensive logistics task that was solved in close and good cooperation with our beet suppliers.”

In most locations, Nordic Sugar’s production result was helped by a high beet quality, even though frozen beet also presented technical challenges in the production.
Nordic Sugar’s sugar production 2010/11 by production country:

Country	Production in 2010/11 (tonnes of sugar)	Production in 2009/10 (tonnes of sugar)	Sugar yield (tonnes of sugar/hectare)	Sugar quota 2010/11 (tonnes of sugar)
Denmark	374,000	445,000	10.3 (12.6)	372,000
Sweden	315,000	403,000	8.9 (10.8)	293,000
Finland	80,000	88,000	6.3 (6.4)	81,000
Lithuania	72,000	77,000	7.6 (8.1)	64,000

For further information:
Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2500
Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications/Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588, mobile +45 4011 6695 Winter weather challenged the 2010/11 sugar production - download as pdf

Fibrex® proves its value in gluten-free ready meals

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:12:00 +0100

Gluten-free sugar beet fibre from Nordic Sugar enhances the quality of Scandinavian ready meals, on trial in exclusive UK supermarkets in January and February.

All-natural Fibrex® brings important functionality to the Swedish meatballs and traditional cabbage pudding of Villman & Co, manufacturer behind the Pure Scandinavian range of fresh, chilled ready meals.

Juicier meat products
The sugar beet fibre’s excellent water-binding properties are particularly well suited to the ready meal sector. In both the meatballs and meat layer of the cabbage pudding, Fibrex® locks in meat juices, giving a juicier, more tender product.

“Ready meals are cooked, cooled and then reheated before use. Fibrex® keeps as much juice in the meat as possible,” explains Per-Gunnar Hansson, founder and managing director of Villman & Co.

Meatballs without gluten - easily
The use of Fibrex® has also made it possible to eliminate gluten from the traditional Swedish meatball recipe.

“So many people have a problem with gluten that we decided to replace the breadcrumbs in our meatballs with Fibrex®,” says Hansson, who adds that Fibrex® is used in all the company’s meat products.

Introducing Fibrex® to the production line is simple. Like the breadcrumbs it replaces in meatball mix, Fibrex® is soaked in milk prior to incorporation. Because the fibre only binds water and very little fat, the meatballs benefit from a reduced fat content.

Nutritious and effective
The unique fibre content and outstanding water-binding capacity make Fibrex® a nutritious and cost-effective ingredient in meat, ready meal and bakery products.

“Comprising natural sugar beet fibre, Fibrex® is a perfect fit with the consumer trend towards more clean label products, not to mention premium quality, gluten-free foods,” says Anneli Mårtensson, key account manager at Nordic Sugar.

Swedish-UK cooperation
One of Sweden’s leading manufacturers of additive-free ready meals, Villman & Co. has contributed three products to the UK sales trials, initiated by the Swedish Trade Council in partnership with John Lewis, owner of Waitrose supermarkets.

Sourced from Swedish niche producers in response to growing UK interest in Scandinavian foods, the range combines the best of modern food production and traditional craftsmanship.

UK consumers can sample the traditional cuisine in two John Lewis Foodhalls from Waitrose in London and Kent. The sales trial is also being conducted in an ICA Toppen supermarket in Sweden.

For more information
Anneli Mårtensson, Fibrex® key account manager, Nordic Sugar, +45 3266 2514, mail:anneli.martensson@nordicsugar.com

Fibrex® proves its value in gluten-free ready meals - download press release as pdf

New survey: Danes are worried about artificial sweeteners

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 11:41:00 +0100

The Danes are increasingly trying to avoid artificially sweetened products according to a new Nordic survey conducted among more than 10,000 people, of whom a little over 2,700 were Danes.

Nearly 40% of the Danes try to avoid products containing artificial sweeteners, whereas slightly fewer, 34%, try to avoid sugar-sweetened products. About 25% of consumers do not care about how products are sweetened. These are the findings of the survey conducted by The Nielsen Company on behalf of Nordic Sugar.

According to Anne-Mette Nielsen, Nutrition Communication Manager of Nordic Sugar, some of the explanation for the figures lies in the general view that sugar is a natural product many consumers prefer over the artificial sweeteners.

“It’s a trend that’s been going on for a couple of years now, and which is far more widespread in for instance Sweden”, she says.

The survey also shows that the Danes have responded positively to the many campaigns about healthy eating and exercising. Changes in dietary habits are mentioned by 83% and physical activity by 62% of the Danes who are trying to lose weight. Between 40 and 50% of all Danes are trying to lose weight according to the survey by The Nielsen Company.

For more information:
Anne-Mette Nielsen, Nutrition Communication Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S.
Tel. +45 3266 2570, e-mail: anne-mette.nielsen@nordicsugar.com

Nordic Sugar completes sale of seed business

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:30:00 +0200

Nordic Sugar has closed the sale of Maribo Seed International to Syngenta.

Following authority approval in all relevant countries, the sale of Nordic Sugar's beet seed activities was concluded at the agreed price of EUR 43 million on 30 September 2010. The new owner takes over the activities of Maribo Seed International as well as the Maribo® brand name, and the staff will be transferred to employment by Syngenta.

Managing Director Thomas B. Olsen, Nordic Sugar A/S, comments:
'The sale of Maribo Seed International is a step in our strategy of further concentrating our resources in the core business of production and sale of sugar. With our commitment to customer focus, continued efficiency improvement and sustainability, we are well-positioned to contribute to the concerted efforts of the Nordzucker Group towards achieving a leadership position in the European sugar market.'

For further information:
Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2500
Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications/Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588/ +45 4011 6695

Nordic Sugar completes sale of seed business - download press release as pdf

Nordic Sugar kicks off beet campaign 2010

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:48:00 +0200

Over the next months, Nordic Sugar will be producing close to 6 per cent of Europe’s total sugar output.

The production season 2010 is now starting up at Nordic Sugar’s sugar factories in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania. In the period up to early January, close to 5,000 beet growers will be supplying sugar beet to the factories, which are expected to produce just over 811,000 tonnes of sugar in total.

Preparations for the campaign have reflected Nordic Sugar’s strategic focus on continued efficiency improvement and sustainability. Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, comments:

“We’ve completed a number of large and small-scale projects. In particular, we’ve invested in enhanced energy efficiency and logistics in our production. In Denmark, for instance, we’ve concentrated our storage capacity by erecting a new 60,000-tonne silo facility at the Nykøbing sugar factory. In Sweden, a considerable environmental investment allows us to improve utilisation of excess heat from production and increase our supply of heat to the local district heating grid, thus also bringing climate benefits.”

“We're ready for the campaign at all factories and are now looking forward to turning this year’s beet harvest into sugar products of the quality and multitude of varieties demanded by our customers.” For further information:
Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2500
Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications/Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588 / +45 4011 6695 Nordic Sugar kicks off beet campaign 2010 - download press release as pdf

Nordic Sugar maintains forecast for 2010 sugar output

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:41:00 +0200

New harvest forecast confirms prospects of a total sugar output of close to 811,000 tonnes of sugar.

The many hours of sunshine over the past few weeks have provided favourable sugar beet growth conditions in Nordic Sugar's four production countries. According to the field sampling carried out this week by Nordic Sugar the period has thus seen good beet development in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania. Against this background, Nordic Sugar still expects a sugar output for 2010 at least at the level of the national EU quotas of these countries, in total equivalent to approx. 811,000 tonnes of sugar.

Campaign start-up at Nordic Sugar's five sugar factories has been scheduled as set out in the table below. Table 1: Production start-up at Nordic Sugar's sugar factories 2010:

Factory	Scheduled campaign start
Nakskov, DK	29 September 2010
Nykøbing, DK	23 September 2010
Örtofta, SE	21 September 2010
Säkylä, FI	28 September 2010
Kedainiai, LT	15 September 2010

Table 2: Results of Nordic Sugar’s second field samples:

	Tonnes beet/ha	% sugar in beet	Tonnes sugar/ha
Denmark	62.5 (66.0)	15.3 (16.0)	9.55 (10,60)
Sweden	58.2 (61.8)	15.3 (15.9)	8.88 (9.90)
Finland	43.8 (43.6)	15.4 (15.0)	6.76 (6.54)
Lithuania	66.2 (58.0)	15.1 (15.1)	9.97 (8.75)

For further information:
Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2500

Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications/Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588 / +45 4011 6695
Nordic Sugar maintains forecast for 2010 sugar output - Download press release as pdf

Sugar beets defy the weather conditions

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:50:00 +0200

Nordic Sugar's first beet harvest forecast indicates a sugar output on a par with the EU sugar quotas. The first part of the sugar beet growing season has been characterised by varying weather conditions in Nordic Sugar's production countries. In Denmark and Sweden, the combination of a cool spring, a warm and dry summer and heavy rainfalls in the past few weeks resulted in unusual growth conditions. In Finland and Lithuania on the other hand, beet growth conditions have been favourable. Overall, the first field sampling conducted by Nordic Sugar in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania indicates a sugar output at minimum on a par with Nordic Sugar's total EU quota of 811,000 tonnes of sugar. The year's second beet harvest forecast will be available in approx 10 days.
Table 1: Results of Nordic Sugar’s first field samples:

	Tonnes beet per ha	% sugar in beet	Tonnes sugar per ha
Denmark	55.1 (50.8)	13.5 (15.1)	7.42 (7.66)
Sweden	51.9 (47.0)	12.8 (14.2)	6.66 (6.74)
Finland	35.3 (28.7)	13.7 (13.4)	4.84 (3.80)
Lithuania	61.3 (40.5)	13.4 (14.0)	8.19 (5.69)

Average for the past five years shown in parentheses

For further information:
Thomas B. Olsen, Executive Vice President, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2500
Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications/Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588 / +45 4011 6695

Sugar beets defy the weather conditions - Download press release as pdf

Nordic Sugar sells seed business

Thu, 27 May 2010 09:02:00 +0200

Agreement signed with Syngenta for the sale of Maribo Seed.

In a move to further strengthen focus on its core business in production and sale of sugar, Nordic Sugar has today entered into an agreement for the sale of Maribo Seed to Swiss-based Syngenta, a global leader in plant breeding and protection. The transaction includes the seed production and sales activities of Maribo Seed International as well as the Maribo brand name.

Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director of Nordic Sugar A/S, comments:

“We are very pleased that Maribo Seed has found a new home with the same dedication to innovative and quality-oriented seed breeding. Maribo Seed has successfully developed its market position over the past years, capitalising in particular on its strong capabilities in sugar beet seed production and distribution. As a key player in the industry Syngenta provides an ideal environment for the further development of these activities. Maribo Seed has long-standing relations with Syngenta. The collaboration dates back to 1992, when the two companies initiated a joint breeding programme.”

“Since joining the Nordzucker Group in 2009, Nordic Sugar has been committed to leveraging the synergies of this cooperation. The sale of the seed activities is a natural element in sharpening the Group’s focus on its core business in its pursuit of a leadership position on the European sugar market.”

The sales price is agreed at DKK 320 million (EUR 43 million) and the agreement is conditional upon authority approval.

For further information:
Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2500
Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications/Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588 /
+45 4011 6695 Nordic Sugar sells seed business - Download press release as pdf

Nordzucker Group today announces the results for financial year 2009/10

Wed, 26 May 2010 13:30:00 +0200

Read the press release here:

Nordic Sugar's product development manager receives research prize

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:32:00 +0200

Lars Bo Jørgensen, who heads up Nordic Sugar’s product development department, has been awarded the 2010 SIK Research Prize presented by the Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology. The prize was presented at a ceremony in Stockholm yesterday and was given to Lars Bo Jørgensen to recognise his work with sweet taste and texture in food products. In cooperation with researchers at the Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology, Lars Bo Jørgensen has achieved breakthrough results in the area of optimising sweetening of foods with a reduced sugar content by working with the texture of the products. The jury worded their motivation as follows: "Lars Bo Jørgensen has successfully linked pioneering research with the development and application of a major raw material with a view to creating healthy concepts while also maintaining the taste and flavour.” Lars Bo Jørgensen comments: - I see the cooperation between researchers from the academic world and us as developers in the food industry as key to the development efforts of the business sector. In this context, organisations like SIK play a significant role as a bridge between institutional research and product development needs, which really creates value. Or to phrase it in another way, this link provides an excellent platform for translating research results into value-adding products that will ultimately benefit consumers.

Lars Bo Jørgensen has headed up Nordic Sugar’s product development since 2000.

In the service of good taste

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:41:00 +0100

- with Dansukker Fairtrade-products A new research done by Dansk Erhverv shows that more than 70% of the Danish people know Fairtrade and that 40% buy products marked with Fairtrade. A Fairtrade campaign will run in Denmark during week 9. The press relase available in Danish here: I den gode smags tjeneste

A sweet complete the easter dinner

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:47:00 +0100

The perfect completion of an easter dinner with herrings or the traditional lamb steak is a sweet dessert.

Read the news here, in Danish and Swedish only
Sød afslutning på påskefrokosten
Söt avrundning på påskmiddagen

Nordic Sugar's 2009/10 sugar output sets new record

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:46:00 +0100

On the back of a bumper sugar beet harvest, Nordic Sugar achieved a sugar output at an all-time high in 2009/10, while also reducing energy consumption in production. Nordic Sugar’s five sugar factories in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania together produced a record volume of 1,013,000 tonnes of sugar in 2009/10, exceeding last year’s level by approx 175,000 tonnes. The output is considerably above Nordic Sugar’s national EU sugar quotas and higher than the level forecast at the start of the campaign. The positive result was achieved in particular on the strength of a bumper harvest of sugar beet with an exceptionally high sugar content in Denmark and Sweden, boosted by a near-optimum mix of sun and rain during the sugar beet growth period. Furthermore, targeted efforts over the past few years to ensure a high level of operational dependability are now paying off. Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director of Nordic Sugar A/S, says in his comment to the result:
– It has been an excellent campaign for us in every way in 2009. We’ve had fine raw materials of high quality, and the big harvest meant that the campaign was longer than normal, which helps to ensure efficient facility utilisation. Despite a few technical challenges and the winter weather of recent weeks, several of our factories have managed to set production records thanks to both professional endeavours and efficient cooperation with the sugar beet growers. Improved energy efficiency
The high beet quality and operational efficiency at the factories, in combination with targeted initiatives in the energy area, helped to reduce energy consumption during the campaign. – Energy efficiency is a strategic focus area for us, and we’re pleased to see that we succeeded in bringing down our consumption of energy in the campaign just ended, in some places by up to 10 per cent per tonne of sugar produced. This has a positive climate impact too, of course. Now, we’re looking forward to being able, as previously, to offer our customers high-quality and sustainable sugar products, says Thomas B. Olsen.
Nordic Sugar’s sugar production 2009/10 in the four production countries:

Country	Production in 2009/10 (tonnes of sugar)	Production in 2008/09 (tonnes of sugar)	Sugar yield (tonnes of sugar/ha)	EU quota 2009/10 (tonnes of sugar)
Denmark	445,000	397,000	12.6 (11.4)	372,000
Sweden	403,000	327,000	10.8 (9.3)	293,000
Finland	88,000	69,000	6.4 (5.7)	81,000
Lithuania	77,000	43,000	8.1 (7.2)	64,000

For further information:
Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2500
Dorthe Lindgreen, Manager/Communications Northern Europe, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2588, mobile +45 4011 6695 Press release Nordic Sugar's 2009/10 sugar output sets new record (English) Nordic Sugars sukkerproduktion slår rekord (Danish) Nordic Sugars sockerproduktion slår rekord (Swedish)

Do like the Brits - enjoy a lovley Afternoon Tea

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:29:00 +0100

- homemade lemon curd and scones keep you warm on a cold winter day.

Read the news here, only in Danish
Gør som englænderne og nyd en dejlig Afternoon Tea

Nordic Sugar signs climate change statement

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Nordic Sugar signs the Copenhagen Communiqué on Climate Change. Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Nordic Sugar – like just under 900 other companies around the world – has signed an appeal to the world’s political leaders to set ambitious targets at the December meeting to discuss global climate challenges. An initiative taken by the Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change, the statement is a signal to governments saying that the business community also calls for an effective climate agreement to ensure long-term and internationally coordinated initiatives in the area. – There’s no doubt that the complex of problems of climate change dimensions takes strong commitment and action on the part of politicians and the business community on the global scale. As companies we’re clearly responsible for helping to limit greenhouse gas emissions, but we need to lay down a global framework to promote developments towards sound economic growth that takes climate into consideration. That’s the message we’d like to send as a signatory to the Copenhagen Communiqué, says Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director of Nordic Sugar A/S. – At Nordic Sugar, we’ve for a many years been undertaking targeted work to lower our energy consumption as well as emission of CO2 from our production. In this way, we’ve reduced our CO2 climate impact by close to 60% compared to 1990. We’re now focusing on an ambitious objective to become independent of fossil fuels by 2030, which will dramatically reduce climate impact. Realising ambitions of that magnitude requires political support. For example, we intend to increase our use of biomass energy and have launched significant development initiatives in that respect. It’s generally the case that if companies and industries are to choose a green strategy, they must be certain of political will as well as incentives supporting this type of climate-friendly changes. In other words, a united front is essential. http://www.copenhagencommunique.com/ For further information:
Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 3266 2500
Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45

Sweden sceptical about the importance of fat to weight increase

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0100

At the same time as the Swedish National Food Administration encourages the Swedish people to reduce its fat intake, a declining number of Swedes believe that fat is actually that important to weight gain and obesity. This was disclosed by a new attitude survey, which also revealed that Sweden is out of sync with its Nordic neighbours on the fat issue. Market researchers YouGov asked some 2,000 people in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark to say how they thought they should change their food habits to lose weight. 89% of the Finns (significantly more than in the other countries) are convinced that fat food and weight are related, the percentages being 83% of the Danes and 73% of the Norwegians. Sweden, however, is noticeably sceptical about the relationship between fat intake and weight loss. 59% agree that fat in food has some influence, but the group believing a reduced fat intake is “very effective” in terms of losing weight is just about 20%. 16% of the Swedes are even of the opinion that a reduced fat intake is “ineffective” as a method of losing weight.

Weight loss

– Today’s consumers face a long range of conflicting messages when it comes to diet and weight loss. The fact that so large a number of Swedes are currently questioning the relationship between fat intake and weight increase can only be explained by the marketing success of the groups advocating a high-fat diet for weight loss, says Ingrid Salomonsson, scientific adviser at Nordic Sugar. Moreover, she ascertains that, at the end of the day, a successful slimming diet is a question of burning more energy than you add.

In agreement with neighbours

In the context of carbohydrates, the Nordic people generally agree. 67% of the Swedish people find that carbohydrates are important to losing weight, the percentage being 60% in Denmark, 69% in Norway and 67% in Finland.

Twice as many calories

In her comment on the survey, Ingrid Salomonsson points out that fat contains more energy than other nutrients.
– The fact is that fat contains twice as many calories per gram compared to carbohydrates in general. This means that 1 gram of fat contains nine calories, while 1 gram of carbohydrates contains four calories. (The attitude survey was conducted in 2009 by market researchers YouGov at the request of Nordic Sugar.) Further information about weight loss is available in the article Kolhydrater eller ej - det är frågan (in Swedish) on www.perspektiv.nu.

Further information:
Ingrid Salomonsson, scientific adviser, Nordic Sugar, telephone 040 – 53 70 15
E-mail: ingrid.salomonsson@nordicsugar.com

Christmas is close - invite your family and friends to glogg party

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:18:00 +0100

(Press release only in Danish and Swedish)

Nu står julen for døren - inviter familie og venner til
gløggfest!

När julen står för dörren - bjud nära och kära på en varm glöggfest!

For further information, contact
Jeanette Nordenhem, Product Marketing Manager, Nordic Sugar
jeanette.nordenhem@nordicsugar.com

New cane sugar product - organic as well as Fairtrade

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:39:00 +0200

Dansukker launch organic and Fairtade canesugar.

Read the news here in Danish and Swedish only
Nyt rørsukker - både økologisk og Fairtrade-mærket
Nytt rörsocker – både ekologiskt och Fairtrade-certifierat

Consumers concerned about the content of food

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:24:00 +0200

More than half of Nordic consumers are concerned about the content of the food they buy. Food additives are a major concern to consumers in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Between one in four and one in three consumers state additives as the major cause of concern. This is the result of a YouGov survey undertaken early in the year including just over 2,000 Nordic consumers on behalf of Nordic Sugar. Close to 27% of the Danish respondents indicate food additives as their major food-related concern, followed by salmonella (18%) and colouring agents (17%). Artificial sweeteners do not go down well with Nordic consumers. A total of 61% of Danish consumers find them unhealthy, and consumers in the other Nordic countries are even more sceptical. Nordic consumers are also still sceptical about GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in food products – 38% of Danes try to avoid GMO ingredients, as do a similar percentage of Swedes, Norwegians and Finns.
A healthy self-perception
In Denmark, however, we find the highest proportion of the population boasting that they eat a healthy diet and drink responsibly – close to 50% – followed by Finland with 44% and Norway and Sweden with 38% each. Eight out of 10 Danes consider a reduced fat intake the most effective way to lose weight. Slides with further details of the survey (in Danish and Swedish) can be downloaded from Nordic Sugar‘s website at www.perspektiv.nu. Click “News” and “Consumers concerned about the content of food”. For further information:
Anne-Mette Nielsen, Nutrition Communication Manager, Nordic Sugar A/S, tel. +45 32 66 25 70,
anne-mette.nielsen@nordicsugar.com

Higher sugar content in Lund heating

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:26:00 +0200

Nordic Sugar’s Örtofta plant in Sweden started the beet campaign on 11 September. This year, the company expects to increase its supply of surplus heat to energy company Lunds Energi. Close to 50,000 households stand to benefit from the increased supply of surplus heat as Lunds Energi has combined the district heating grids in Lomma, Lund and Eslöv. “The increase in the supply of surplus heat from Nordic Sugar is achieved on the back of an anticipated rise in sugar beet yields and thus a prolonged beet campaign”, says Bengt Högberg, Factory Director of Nordic Sugar Örtofta. “We’re very pleased that through the supply of surplus heat we’re able to contribute to increasingly environment-friendly and efficient heating while at the same time reducing CO2 emissions – quite in keeping with our own energy and climate strategy.” Johan Holmstedt, Business Area Manager, Energy production, The group Lunds Energikoncernen, emphasises the fact that district heating is well-established and well-integrated in Lund and Eslöv, allowing for the possibility of exploiting the surplus heat. “As we’re offered the opportunity to buy additional surplus heat, we can reduce the amount of fuel used in the generation of district heat. Consequently, we’ll be able to reduce our CO2 emission by another 1,250 tonnes in addition to what the surplus heat from Nordic Sugar Örtofta has already contributed”, says Johan Holmstedt. “We take an active part in identifying new ways of using residues in the generation of district heat, and surplus heat plays an important role. By using already generated heat, which would otherwise go to waste, we make a positive contribution to the climate. The group checks out all possible options which may benefit the environment”, says Johan Holmstedt. For further information, please contact:
Johan Holmstedt, Business Area Manager, Energy production, The group Lunds Energikoncernen AB (publ), Tel: +46 46 35 61 89 or +46 70 349 66 99. E-mail: johan.holmstedt@lundsenergi.se.
Bengt Högberg, Factory Director, Nordic Sugar Örtofta, Tel: +46 46 540 63 86 or +46 709 53 96 86. E-mail: bengt.hogberg@nordicsugar.com Higher sugar content in Lund heating

Bright outlook for the 2009 sugar campaign

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:30:00 +0200

[Danish, Swedish and Finnish versions of this message below] Nordic Sugar will start up the 2009 sugar production within the next few days. Forecasts indicate a bumper beet crop. Nordic Sugar will open for reception of sugar beet at the company’s factories in Sweden and Denmark over the next few days, while reception at the factories in Finland and Lithuania will commence about a week later. Similar to the year’s first two beet field samples, the third one completed this week indicates both extraordinarily high beet volumes and sugar content levels well above the average for the last five years. - Naturally, with this strong potential we are indeed looking forward to kicking off the 2009 production campaign where everything is set for the achievement of a fine result. The bumper crop forecast was of course promoted by the optimal growth conditions this year but is clearly also the result of targeted efforts over the past few years aimed at strengthening the competitive power of beet growing, states Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director of Nordic Sugar A/S. Table 1: Result of Nordic Sugar’s third field samples:

	Tonnes beet/ha	%sugar in beet	Tonnes sugar/ha
Denmark	71.0 (63.7)	18.2 (15.3)	12.91 (9.73)
Sweden	70.9 (57.3)	17.6 (15.4)	12.47 (8.87)
Finland	45.1 (41.4)	15.5 (14.7)	6.98 (6.11)
Lithuania	60.6 (55.2)	16.2 (14.4)	9.82 (8.01)

Average for the past five years shown in parentheses

Table 2: Production start-up at Nordic Sugar’s sugar factories 2009:

Factory	Planned campaign start-up
Nakskov, DK	17.09.2009
Nykøbing, DK	17.09.2009
Örtofta, SE	11.09.2009
Säkylä, FI	24.09.2009
Kedainiai, LT	16.09.2009

For further information:
Dorthe Lindgreen, Manager / Internal & External Communication, Nordic Sugar A/S,
tel. +45 3266 2588 / +45 4011 6695

Høje forventninger til årets sukkerkampagne

Höga förväntningar till årets sockerkampanj

Vuoden sokerituotannosta odotetaan hyvää

Sugar beet still in top shape

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:34:00 +0200

Based on the second sugar beet harvest forecast for the year, Nordic Sugar maintains its positive expectations for the company’s 2009 sugar production. [Danish, Swedish and Finnish versions of this message below] Following the good start of the growing period in Nordic Sugar’s production countries, the sugar beet crop has continued to progress well over the past few weeks thanks to favourable weather conditions. This was shown in the most recent field samples, and against this background Nordic Sugar still expects to achieve a sugar output close to 1 million tonnes in the 2009 campaign. Table 1: Result of Nordic Sugar’s second field samples:

	Tonnes beet/ha	%sugar in beet	Tonnes sugar/ha
Denmark	60.5 (63.7)	17.7 (15.3)	10.72 (9.73)
Sweden	61.4 (57.3)	16.9 (15.4)	10.39 (8.87)
Finland	34.1 (41.4)	14.6 (14.7)	5.03 (6.11)
Lithuania	50.5 (55.2)	15.6 (14.4)	7.80 (8.01)

Average for the past five years shown in parentheses Table 2: Production start-up at Nordic Sugar’s sugar factories 2009:

Factory	Planned campaign start-up
Nakskov, DK	17.09.2009
Nykøbing, DK	17.09.2009
Örtofta, SE	11.09.2009
Säkylä, FI	24.09.2009
Kedainiai	16.09.2009

For further information:
Dorthe Lindgreen, Manager / Internal & External Communication, Nordic Sugar A/S,
tel. +45 3266 2588 / +45 4011 6695

Sukkerroerne er fortsat i storform

Sockerbetorna är fortsatt i högform

Sokerijuurikkaat edelleen hyvässä kasvussa

Strong potential for Nordic Sugar’s 2009 sugar production

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:37:00 +0200

This year’s first sugar beet harvest forecast indicates a positive outlook for sugar production. [Danish, Swedish and Finnish versions of this message below] The sugar beet growing season has been off to a good start in Nordic Sugar’s production countries. Beet was sown earlier than usual in most places due to the unusually warm weather in spring. Over the summer, a favourable combination of sunshine and rain, in Denmark and Sweden in particular, further contributed to extraordinarily strong beet growth. Overall, this means that, based on Nordic Sugar’s harvest forecast, sugar yields are expected to be significantly above the average of the past five years, with the exception of Finland with average yields. Against this background, Nordic Sugar expects sugar production at the company’s factories in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania to reach close to 1 million tonnes of sugar in 2009 if weather conditions are normal for the latter part of the beet growing season. Nordic Sugar will launch this year’s production season in mid-September. The estimated launch dates for each factory appear from Table 2. Thomas B. Olsen, Managing Director, says: - According to the current forecasts, we are in an extraordinarily favourable position prior to this year’s production, which is of course very positive news. Consequently, we will start production early this year and look forward to launching the season in cooperation with the beet growers in a few weeks. For further information, please contact:
Managing Director Thomas B. Olsen, Nordic Sugar, tel.: +45 3266 2500
Communications Manager Dorthe Lindgreen, Nordic Sugar, tel.: +45 3266 2588 / +45 4011 6695 Table 1: Result of Nordic Sugar’s first field samples:

	Tonnes beet/ha	%sugar in beet	Tonnes sugar/ha
Denmark	54.5 (47.6)	16.4 (14.8)	8.92 (7.03)
Sweden	53.4 (42.4)	15.3 (14.0)	8.20 (5.97)
Finland	23.6 (28.4)	12.8 (13.2)	3.02 (3.74)
Lithuania	41.1 (38.3)	14.4 (13.6)	5.91 (5.24)

Average for the past five years shown in parentheses
Table 2: Production start-up at Nordic Sugar sugar factories 2009:

Factory	Planned campaign start-up
Nakskov, DK	17.09.2009
Nykøbing, DK	17.09.2009
Örtofta, SE	12.09.2009
Säkylä, FI	24.09.2009
Kedainiai, LT	16.09.2009

Stærkt potentiale for Nordic Sugars sukkerproduktion 2009 (DK)

Stärkt potential för Nordic Sugars sockerproduktion 2009 (SE)

Nordic Sugarin vuoden 2009 sokerituotannolle hyvät näkymät (FI)

Larger interest of healthier living amongst Swedes

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:41:00 +0200

Fler svenskar intresserade av hälsa

Allt fler svenskar intresserar sig för sin hälsa. Det visar en ny skandinavisk undersökning genomförd av AC Nielsen där frågor om kännedom och inställning till socker, deras kost- och motionsvanor och intresse för hälsa har besvarats. Över 60 % av de tillfrågade konsumenterna i undersökningen är intresserade av hälsa. Viktigast för god hälsa anser svenskarna vara fysisk aktivitet. Trots att fler verkar intresserade av hälsofrågor så har antalet överviktiga ökat de senaste åren. Tendensen enligt undersökningen visar att ju mindre man väger desto större är intresset för hälsa. Av dem som är överviktiga anser hälften så många att det är viktigt.

- Vad vi har sett i analysen är att färre individer än tidigare kopplar hälsa till vad man äter som t ex att andelen som anger att det är viktigt att äta frukt och grönt har sjunkit från 1:a plats 2006 till 3:e plats 2008. Idag verkar fler koppla god hälsa till motion och att undvika rökning, säger Ingrid Salomonsson på Nordic Sugar. Analysresultaten för konsumentundersökningen baseras på intervjuer gjorda av AC Nielsen i Sverige 2008. Totalt har 2 570 individer tillfrågats. Av dem är 1303 män och 1267 kvinnor. Övriga orsaker till god hälsa anses vara att undvika rökning, att äta mer frukt och grönt och att sova tillräckligt. På femte och samma plats kommer att äta mindre socker och att undvika stress. Viktigast för hälsa är:

att vara fysisk aktiv
att inte röka
att äta frukt och grönt
att sova tillräckligt
att undvika socker och att undvika stress
att undvika snabbmat
att begränsa fett i matlagning och på bröd
att dricka mindre alkohol

- Här ser vi en förändring där socker i tidigare undersökningar har varit en parameter som legat högre upp. Samtidigt verkar det vara fler som har dåligt samvete av att äta socker än tidigare, säger Ingrid Salomonsson, vetenskaplig rådgivare på Nordic Sugar. För ytterligare information:
Ingrid Salomonsson, vetenskaplig rådgivare, Nordic Sugar, telefon 040 – 53 70 15
e-post: ingrid.salomonsson@nordicsugar.com

Få svenska intresserade av hälsa

Meet us in Europe

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:44:00 +0200

Nordic Sugar participates in Riga Food in Latvia 9th – 12th September and IBA, Internationale Bäckereiausstellung in Düsseldorf, Germany 3rd-9th October. At Riga Food we will show our palette of sugar consumer products, demonstrate the functionalities of some of the products and hand-out recipe folders. We will also host two seminars focusing on optimising sugar in bakery products respectively confectionary products. Welcome to our stand in Hall 11, second floor. At IBA in Düsseldorf we are focusing on our beet fibre product Fibrex. We will demonstrate Fibrex and its properties in bakery products, show different types of applications and hand-out recipe folders. Welcome to our stand B38 in Hall 14.

Mapping the climate footprint of sugar

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:46:00 +0200

Nordic Sugar has conducted comprehensive analysis work to map out the climate footprint throughout the sugar value chain. The analysis comprised all aspects from cultivation, production, transport and production of packaging to adjuvants in production to gain a complete overview. This was done as part of the ongoing efforts to ensure increasingly sustainable development. The analysis also included other types of greenhouse gases that are converted into CO2 to see the total impact. The calculation shows that sugar as a product has only a minor impact on the climate. The result is that 675 kg of CO2 are emitted from the production of one tonne of sugar. In comparison, 14,000 kg of CO2 are emitted from the production of one tonne of beef and some 10,800 kg of CO2 are emitted from the production of one tonne of cheese. Furthermore, the analysis showed that transport-related emission does not do the exposure it gets in the media any justice. Transport accounts for a mere six percent of Nordic Sugar’s total CO2 emission. The analysis also comprised a comparison between beet sugar produced by Nordic Sugar and imported cane sugar refined at Nordic Sugar’s unit in Finland. Sugar canes are often considered a crop that holds a climate advantage because residual products are used for energy in the production. However, Nordic Sugar’s calculations reveal that beet sugar and cane sugar almost have the same climate footprint since transport and refining of cane sugar also result in CO2 emission. Other environmental aspects such as the low consumption of fertilizer in sugar beet growing, a high yield per hectare, and the fact that sugar beets effectively resist drought help make cultivation of sugar beets sustainable in the Nordic latitudes.

Nordic Sugar encourages debate on sugar

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:48:00 +0200

[Danish version of this message below] Against the background of a new scientific report, Nordic Sugar last week hosted a well-attended seminar on the role of sugars in nutrition.
Hosting a series of seminars and publishing information material, Nordic Sugar focuses on the latest sugar and health research. More than 100 people attended the seminar “Sukker, ernæring og forskningsformidling” (Sugar, nutrition and research communication) focusing on the current scientific status of sugar from a nutrition and health perspective. The attendants represented a wide range of health care professionals and food producers, reflecting the strong interest in the area among specialists. The first part of the seminar focused on a recent scientific report, “Central aspects of sugars in human nutrition” published by the International Association for the Study of Obesity in which several leading researchers review a number of scientific studies of the role of sugars in nutrition. Christian Bitz, MSc (human nutrition) presented the results and concluded that the role of sugar as the primary cause of e.g. overweight is not supported by research.

The easily comprehensible messages

Moreover, it was repeatedly established that the role of sugar in nutrition is complex and requires further research, and that the media and consumers seek easily comprehensible messages.
The latter was confirmed by Jesper Baun Mortensen from The Nielsen Company, the company behind a study of Danes’ attitude to sugar and health. The study shows, among other things, increased focus on sugar and carbohydrates based on media coverage and health campaigns. Talking about the media, health and professional knowledge against the background of her PhD thesis on the kind of stories told by the media, Gitte Gravengaard from the University of Copenhagen also confirmed the appeal of easily comprehensible messages.
The seminar ended in a lively debate on how producers and health experts may steer the debate in a more fact-based direction.

Contribution to the sugar debate

At the seminar, Nordic Sugar’s new folder “Om sukker og sundhed” (On sugar and health) was presented. The folder discusses the most controversial aspects of sugar. The conclusions are based on current scientific knowledge and thus constitute Nordic Sugar’s latest contribution to ensuring an objective debate on the issue. The report “Central aspects of sugars in human nutrition” and Nordic Sugar’s new folder “Om sukker og sundhed” can be downloaded from www.perspektiv.nu or ordered by e-mailing nutrition.dk@nordicsugar.com.

Future seminars

Nordic Sugar hosts annual health seminars. If you would like to receive an invitation to future seminars, please register at nutrition.dk@nordicsugar.com.
Nordic Sugar inviterer til debat om sukker

Dansukker Cane Syrup in neat and handy bottle

Thu, 07 May 2009 23:16:00 +0200

Dansukker lancerer Cane Syrup i lille og praktisk flaske

[A Danish and Swedish version of this message below] Dansukker lancerer en ny sirup - Cane Syrup, der er sirup lavet af rørsukker. Cane Syrup har en mørkere farve end Dansukkers Lys Sirup og fås i en lille og praktisk flaske. Cane Syrup er Fairtrade-mærket og fremstilles af certificeret rørsukker fra Malawi. Siruppen har en fyldig smag med et strejf af lakrids og har mange anvendelsesmuligheder.

God smag i en praktisk flaske

Cane Syrup passer til alle slags madlavning. Den mørke sirup er perfekt til at afrunde smagen på gryderetter, salater og marinader og kan anvendes direkte som topping på f.eks. is eller i kager og desserter – præcist som en almindelig sirup. Flasken er gennemsigtig og har det nye drypfri låg, der gør det let at dosere siruppen, når du laver mad eller bager. Den lille, praktiske flaske passer endda fint på bordet, så dine gæster selv kan komme Cane Syrup på isen eller frugtsalaten. Cane Syrup fås i flasker med 400 g i butikkerne fra juni og koster ca. 17 kr.

Dansukker lancerer Cane Syrup i lille og praktisk flaske (Danish)

Dansukker lanserar Cane Syrup i liten och behändig flaska (Swedish)

Nordzucker completes acquisition of Danisco Sugar and significantly expands market position

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:53:00 +0100

Nordzucker acquired Danisco Sugar with legal effect on 2 March 2009. Once the German Federal Cartel Office had given the green light for the deal in February, Nordzucker AG and Danisco A/S signed the final agreements yesterday. “We are very pleased to now officially have our partner of choice on board. This acquisition is a significant step forward on our journey to becoming the leading European sugar company,” CEO Hans-Gerd Birlenberg emphasised. [Danish and Swedish versions of this message below]

Nordic Sugar launched

Effective immediately, the company which had to date consolidated the sugar activities of Danish food ingredients company Danisco A/S will do business as a wholly owned subsidiary under the new name Nordic Sugar A/S. The new name directly reflects both the core business of sugar and the geographical roots of the company, while at the same time creating a link to the parent company Nordzucker AG.

Nordic Sugar: All employees will be retained

In line with its size and importance, Nordic Sugar will maintain its own administrative functions, which will continue to be situated in Copenhagen, Denmark. All employees at all Nordic Sugar sites in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania will continue to be employed without any change; all plants will continue to operate; no job cuts are planned. The seed business will continue to conduct its business activities within Nordic Sugar under the name of Maribo Seed A/S. As already announced, sugar beet growers in Denmark and Sweden will be offered an equity stake in Nordic Sugar of up to 49 percent.

Thomas B. Olsen to head up Nordic Sugar

Thomas B. Olsen (44), who had been Executive Vice President, Agriculture and member of the Board of Management to date, will take over leadership of Nordic Sugar as Managing Director of the company, effective immediately. Said Hans-Gerd Birlenberg: “Thomas B. Olsen enjoys my fullest confidence. I am certain that, under his leadership, Nordic Sugar will seamlessly continue to be on course for further success.” “We are embarking on an exciting new phase in the development of our company and will continue our activities with unchanged drive and enthusiasm. From day one, we intend to be a dynamic member of the Nordzucker family,” said Olsen.

Sales activities remain independent

The sales and marketing activities within the Group will take a two-pronged approach in the future. Nordic Sugar will continue to sell its products in the core Northern European markets. As a subsidiary group, Nordic Sugar will thus manage product manufacture and sale from the Copenhagen office. Nordic Sugar will continue to use the firmly established brand name of Dansukker in the future. Eurosugar S.A.S., Nordzucker’s well-known and successful sales organisation, will be unaffected by these activities and will continue to operate independently on the market. “Our main goal is to supply our customers across Europe with sugar and related products tailored to their requirements. Our focus on customers and the relationships we have developed with them are key criteria for our success and ones that we intend to preserve in the future. At the same time, we can offer customers operating throughout Europe in particular the advantages of a customised sales organisation,” continued Hans-Gerd Birlenberg.

Neighbouring market with population of 30 million

By acquiring Danisco Sugar, Nordzucker is gaining a successful, established partner as well as expanding its regional presence to include an attractive, directly adjacent market with some 30 million inhabitants. This gives Nordzucker a market share in Europe of some 16 percent, thus underscoring its position as Europe’s second largest sugar producer to sustained effect. “Nordzucker now represents a combination of the effectiveness of Europe’s number two sugar cooperative and the strong points and advantages of Northern Europe’s undisputed top sugar company. This strength is what will enable us to meet market challenges together – both now and in the future,” CEO Birlenberg underscored further.

Group’s headquarters remain in Braunschweig

In the course of the integration process, which will begin immediately, the structure of Nordzucker will be adapted to meet the demands of the now larger-sized company. The aim is to optimally leverage the strengths that exist throughout the Group in order to achieve maximum proximity to markets and customers. The company’s headquarters will remain in Braunschweig, Germany, and this office will assume pan-European functions also in the future. These notably include all of Nordzucker’s overall strategic and Group-wide activities.

Transaction a milestone for the European sugar market

This transaction underscores Nordzucker’s determination to meet market challenges proactively and as early as possible. “As a major corporation, we want to grow together and grow profitably. To do so, we have to pool our respective strengths. The combined capabilities of both of our companies form a solid foundation for our effectiveness and success. This deal has created the indispensable conditions to make it happen,” Hans-Gerd Birlenberg explained.

Efficiency the key to expertise

Nordzucker believes that cost effectiveness and efficiency are increasingly becoming the key criteria for success for all sugar producers in view of the pending market deregulation in autumn 2009 as well as growing competitive pressure. The anticipated cost advantages resulting from the merger of the two organisations are expected to be instrumental in meeting these criteria. “Size alone is no guarantee for long-term business success. Starting in 2010, we expect to cut costs by around €20 million per year.” In parallel, Nordzucker will pursue a policy of strict efficiency and cost management throughout the Group, Hans-Gerd Birlenberg went on to state.

Nordzucker completes acquisition of Danisco Sugar and significantly expands market position
Nordzucker afslutter køb af Danisco Sugar og styrker sin markedsposition markant
Nordzucker avslutar köp av Danisco Sugar och styrker sin marknadsposition markant

Danisco completes sale of Danisco Sugar

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:59:00 +0100

Danisco A/S has closed the sale of Danisco Sugar A/S to Nordzucker AG. The sale of the sugar activities is a decisive step towards transforming Danisco into a focused, bio-based and market-driven ingredients provider. CEO Tom Knutzen, Danisco A/S, comments: ’Nordzucker is one of Europe’s leading sugar producers. We are very pleased that Danisco Sugar has now found a new home with the same focus on efficient and competitive production of sugar for industry and consumers. In light of the dramatically changed conditions in the financial markets and the global economy in general since we signed the agreement with Nordzucker in July 2008, we consider the result of the sales process satisfactory. After the sale, Danisco is a focused business engaged in bio-based ingredients solutions, and through innovation and sustainability we will further accelerate our efforts to become the customers’ First choice.’

Accounting impact of the sale

The sale of Danisco Sugar was concluded at a sales price of DKK 5.45 billion based on a normalised working capital to which should be added an amount receivable from the EU of DKK 0.37 billion (see our stock exchange notice of 20 February 2009). Danisco temporarily retains sugar at a value of DKK 0.6 billion, grants credit of DKK 0.5 billion to Nordzucker and has today received DKK 4.9 billion, or DKK 6.0 billion in total. In addition, Nordzucker will, according to the agreement, take over debt and obligations such as deferred tax, pension provisions and minorities of DKK 0.8 billion, corresponding to a total gross acquisition price of DKK 6.8 billion. Part of the cash received will be used for payment of DKK 150 million to beet growers (see our stock exchange notice of 14 July 2008) as well as payment of selling costs. As a result of the price reduction agreed in the final phase (DKK 149 million) and a loss on energy purchase agreements at fair value related to the 2009 campaign, which is to be paid by Danisco in accordance with the sales agreement, an accounting loss of around DKK 200 million on the sale is now expected. An operating profit after tax and interest of around DKK 140 million is expected for the period up to 28 February 2009 resulting in an estimated loss from discontinued operations of around DKK 60 million. The sale of the sugar activities will be booked in Q3 2008/09. Please see our stock exchange notice no. 04/2009 of today for more information about management’s group outlook for 2008/09.

Change in the Executive Board

In connection with the sale of Sugar, Executive Vice President Mogens Granborg has resigned his position as CEO of Danisco Sugar A/S and will retire from the Executive Board of Danisco A/S at the end of April 2009. Subsequently, the Executive Board will consist of CEO Tom Knutzen and CFO Søren Bjerre-Nielsen. Mogens Granborg will be making his services available to us until 31 August 2009, when he retires in accordance with his contract.

Change in the Board of Directors

In connection with the sale of Sugar, Bent Willy Larsen, Engineer, elected by the employees, will leave the Board of Directors of Danisco A/S. Subsequently, the Board will consist of eight directors. Yours faithfully Tom Knutzen
CEO For further information, please contact
Investor Relations, tel.: +45 3266 2912, investor@danisco.com
Media Relations, tel.: +45 3266 2913, media@danisco.com

Dansukker syrup in new bottle with drop-safe lid

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:56:00 +0100

Dansukkers sirup i ny flaske med drypfrit låg

Den klassiske sirupflaske fra Dansukker har fået nyt design og et praktisk drypfrit låg. Med den nye flaske bliver det endnu nemmere at bruge siruppen til bagning eller i madlavningen. Flasken er desuden transparent, hvilket gør det let at dosere. De nye flasker introduceres i butikkerne fra denne måned.Tre sirup-varianter fra Dansukker [Danish and Swedish version of this message below] Lys Sirup og Økologisk Lys Sirup er klassiske sirup-varianter og har en fin lys farve med en karamelagtig smag. De passer begge til slik, småkager, desserter, saucer, kødretter m.v. Mørk Sirup har mere karakter med en fyldigere, aromatisk karamelsmag, salt og syrlighed og er mørkere i farven. Den passer til såvel brunkager og chokoladekaramel som brune bønner, kåldolmere og andre madretter.

Hvad er sirup?

Sirup laves af råsukker fra sukkerroer eller sukkerrør. I Dansukkers sortiment er der sirup med et varierende indhold af sukkerroens og sukkerrørets naturlige smag og farvekomponenter, der bestemmer farve og smag. Der er således forskellige varianter af sirup, hver med sin specielle smag og farve. Sirup indeholder forskellige sukkerarter, nemlig almindeligt sukker, druesukker og frugtsukker.

Ud over at give en sød smag har sirup en del funktionelle fordele: Sirup fremmer gæringen i brød, giver en fin skorpe, holder brødet saftigt og friskt længere og er desuden en udmærket smagsgiver og smagsforstærker i forskellige madretter. Læs mere i Dansukkers sødningsleksikon på www.dansukker.dk

Dansukkers sirup i ny flaske med drypfrit låg

Dansukkers Sirap i ny flaska med droppfri kork

Forkerte tal om sukkerforbrug

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:01:00 +0100

[News only in Danish] I dag har en række medier med udgangspunkt i en artikel i metroXpress om ”sukker-afhængighed” refereret en rundspørge til nogle ikke nærmere definerede kostklinikker, der viser, at halvdelen af danskerne er afhængige af sukker. I den forbindelse er det bl.a. i DR nævnt, at danskerne har verdens næsthøjeste forbrug af sukker pr. indbygger (kun overgået af USA) på over 58 kg. Det er forkert, idet danskernes forbrug er på linje med forbruget i de fleste andre EU-lande.

Den rapport, der bruges som kilde, inddrager f.eks. også de store mængder sukker, der anvendes i dansk industri til bl.a. insulin- og enzymproduktion. Tallet inkluderer altså alt det sukker, Danmark forsynes med, men ikke det der forbruges. For eksempel kasseres der jo mange madvarer og madrester. Den mængde sukker, der er til rådighed pr. dansker, er ud fra Danmarks Statistiks tal 37, 6 kg. (2007). De officielle kostundersøgelser fra Fødevareinstituttet tyder på et endnu lavere forbrug pr. indbygger (omkring 20 kg. pr. indbygger) – et forbrug, der i øvrigt har været svagt faldende over de senere år. I øvrigt har medierne valgt ikke at citere de forskningsmæssige forbehold på påstande om fysisk sukker-afhængighed, der også fremgår af metroXpress’ artikel. Afhængighed af sukker i samme betydning som f.eks. nikotin, alkohol og narkotika er tilbagevist i både danske og internationale videnskabelige rapporter, men hvis nogle kan få hjælp til at mindske deres psykiske trang til sødt og dermed få bedre styr på deres madvaner, er det da kun fint. Sådanne fakta gør naturligvis historien mindre dramatisk, men hos Danisco Sugar synes vi, at befolkningen også har behov for korrekte oplysninger. Vi vil derfor sætte pris på, hvis ovennævnte forbehold indgår i evt. senere artikler om emnet og understreger, at vi altid står til rådighed for videnskabeligt funderet information om sukker og sundhed. Se også www.perspektiv.nu. Som en lille krølle mht. begrebet afhængighed af sukker vil vi bemærke, at så ville vi populært sagt også være ”æble-afhængige”. Kroppen kan nemlig ikke kende forskel på tilsat sukker og det naturligt forekommende sukker i frugter, bær mv.

For yderligere oplysninger

Nutrition Communication Manager Anne-Mette Nielsen,
Danisco Sugar A/S, tlf. 32 66 25 00, mobil 21 72 0045,
anne-mette.nielsen@nordicsugar.com

Sale of Danisco Sugar to Nordzucker to be closed

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:04:00 +0100

As already announced, Nordzucker informed us earlier this week that following the sale of the plant in Anklam they wanted to renegotiate the acquisition price of Danisco Sugar.

Notice no. 03/2009

We have now agreed with Nordzucker to effect the transfer of Danisco Sugar on 2 March 2009 at a price of DKK 5.45 billion (previously DKK 5.6 billion). In addition, Danisco receives payment of an outstanding amount of originally about DKK 600 million in July 2008 (see our stock exchange notice of 14 July 2008) from the sale of EU quotas in 2007/08 and earlier. As at 28 February 2009 this amount is expected to total about DKK 375 million after repayments. Danisco will be using about DKK 510 million (EUR 68 million), previously about DKK 360 million (EUR 48 million), for a loan to Nordzucker carrying an annual interest rate of 4% and falling due on 15 March 2011. Since the sale is effected at this time of the calendar year, when the working capital of Danisco Sugar is at the highest level, the official transfer amount will be increased. Danisco participates in the financing by an expected transfer of an agreed volume of sugar in the course of 2009. The value of this volume will be around DKK 600 million and will result in interest compensation. As the financing of the deal will total some DKK 1.1 billion, we cancel the share buy-back programme mentioned in our interim report of 16 December 2008. A stock exchange notice with additional details, including the accounting impact, will be issued as soon as the transfer has been fully completed. Yours faithfully Tom Knutzen
CEO For further information, please contact
Investor Relations: Julie Quist, tel.: +45 3266 2925, e-mail: julie.quist@danisco.com
Media Relations: Carl Johan Corneliussen, tel.: +45 3266 2926, e-mail: carl.corneliussen@danisco.com

Final approval by Bundeskartellamt of sale of Danisco Sugar

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:06:00 +0100

The German competition authorities, the Bundeskartellamt, have today granted a final approval of Nordzucker’s acquisition of Danisco Sugar.

Notice no. 02/2009

The approval encompasses the sale of Danisco’s German-based sugar and bioethanol plant in Anklam to the Dutch-based Cosun. For more information, please visit www.bundeskartellamt.de. According to the contract concluded by Nordzucker and Danisco on 14 July 2008, the transaction is to be completed by the end of February 2009. As announced yesterday, Nordzucker wishes to renegotiate the acquisition price as a consequence of the divestment of the Anklam site. We do not find this supported by the contract. We will issue a stock exchange notice as soon as the situation has been further clarified. Yours faithfully Tom Knutzen
CEO For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations: Julie Quist, tel.: +45 3266 2925, e-mail: julie.quist@danisco.com
Media Relations: Carl Johan Corneliussen, tel.: +45 3266 2926, e-mail: carl.corneliussen@danisco.com

Conditional approval of sale of Danisco Sugar

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:08:00 +0100

The German competition authorities, the Bundeskartellamt, have today conditionally approved Nordzucker’s acquisition of Danisco Sugar.

Notice no. 1/2009

The approval is conditional on the sale of Danisco’s German sugar and bioethanol plant in Anklam to a “suitable purchaser”. According to the German competition authorities, Dutch-based Cosun may be a potential buyer of the plant in Anklam. For more information about the decision, please visit www.bundeskartellamt.de. According to the contract concluded by Nordzucker and Danisco on 14 July 2008, the transaction is to be completed by the end of February 2009, subject to the condition being met. We expect the condition to be met in the coming days. Meanwhile, Nordzucker has announced that it wishes to renegotiate the acquisition price as a consequence of the divestment of the Anklam site. We do not find this supported by the contract. We will issue a stock exchange notice as soon as the situation has been further clarified. Yours faithfully Tom Knutzen
CEO For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations: Julie Quist, tel.: +45 3266 2925, e-mail: julie.quist@danisco.com
Media Relations: Carl Johan Corneliussen, tel.: +45 3266 2926, e-mail: carl.corneliussen@danisco.com

Solid sugar production result for Danisco Sugar

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:10:00 +0100

Despite challenging weather conditions for sugar beet growing, Danisco Sugar’s total sugar production meets expectations. Danisco Sugar’s six sugar factories in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Lithuania generated production of 1,003,000 tonnes of sugar in the 2008/09 campaign just ended. Production at all factories has been characterised by high stability, which has contributed to the satisfactory result, but the sugar beet yield has varied considerably from country to country due to the very different weather conditions during the sugar beet growth period. Positive campaigns in Denmark and Sweden particularly contributed to the result. In a comment to the campaign, Executive Vice President Thomas B. Olsen, Agriculture, Danisco Sugar, says: ‘Growing conditions in the two countries have been close to optimal late in the period, which resulted in record-high sugar beet yields. In Sweden, however, a brief period of frost had a negative effect on the beet quality. The large beet volumes combined with efficient operations at our factories have resulted in sugar production significantly above the two countries’ national quotas.’ ‘In Finland beet growing was influenced by heavy rainfalls and low temperatures, while Lithuania suffered from drought. In both places we have therefore generated production slightly below the EU quotas, which is, however, covered by transferring sugar from the previous year.’ ‘The area around our factory in Anklam in Germany, where we have run our first parallel production of sugar and bioethanol, has also been impacted by drought. In spite of that, sugar production was 50% above our EU quota. The reason for this is that the beet acreage was increased to support the bioethanol production.’ Overall, Danisco Sugar’s production was lower compared with last year as a result of the sugar quota renunciation that took place before the 2008/09 campaign. Danisco's sugar output for 2008/09 by country:

Country	Production (tonnes sugar)	Production 2007/08 (tonnes sugar)	Sugar yield (tonnes sugar/ha)	Sugar quota 2008/09 (tonnes sugar)
Denmark	397,000	380,000	11.4 (10.1)	372,000
Sweden	327,000	354,000	9.3 (8.7)	293,000
Finland	69,000	101,000	5.7 (6.1)	81,000
Germany	167,000	136,000	8.1 (9.0)	112,000
Lithuania	43,000	98,000	7.2 (7.0)	64,000

For further information, please contact:
Thomas B. Olsen, Executive Vice President, Agriculture, Danisco Sugar, tel.: +45 32 66 25 00, or

Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications Manager, Danisco Sugar A/S, tel.: +45 32 66 25 88 or , +45 40 11 66 95

Dansukker launch Vanilla sugar Fairtrade

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:19:00 +0100

Dansukker lancerer Vaniljesukker Fairtrade

[In Danish only]

Dansukker udvider sit Fairtrade-sortiment med Vaniljesukker Fairtrade. Derved består Dansukkers Faritrade-familie nu af Vaniljesukker Fairtrade, Rørsukker Flormelis, Rørsukker og Hugget Rørsukker.

Vaniljesukker Fairtrade er lavet af rørsukker og ægte vanilje. Det giver Vaniljesukker Fairtrade en høj kvalitet og en god smag, som er velegnet til både desserter, is, konfekt og bagning. Ved at købe Fairtrade er forbrugerne med til at give marginaliserede bønder og arbejdere muligheder for at forbedre deres levevilkår. Og Vaniljesukker Fairtrade er det seneste medlem af Dansukkers Fairtrade-familie. Produktet lanceres samtidig med, at nye undersøgelser viser, hvordan danskernes interesse for Fairtrade-produkter er stadigt stigende. Vaniljesukker Fairtrade fås i butikkerne fra uge 42. Vejl. udsalgspris: 18,95 kr. for 170 g. Yderligere information Jeanette Nordenhem, produktchef hos Danisco Sugar
Jeanette.nordenhem@danisco.com
Dansukker lancerer Vaniljesukker Fairtrade

Danisco’s Sugar production exceeds 1 million tonnes

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:21:00 +0100

Record-high yields from sugar beet fields in several countries have resulted in a large sugar output as expected. [Danish and English versions of press release to download below] Danisco's sugar production in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Lithuania totalled 1,069,000 tonnes of sugar in the campaign just ended. This exceeds Danisco’s total EU quota of 973,000 tonnes of sugar by close to 100,000 tonnes and is, hence, a satisfactory result, which is in line with expectations. Executive Vice President Thomas B. Olsen elaborates on the result:
’Favourable weather conditions gave us the best possible start to the growing season and have contributed to a record-high sugar yield in several of our production countries. However, growing conditions were not optimal during the summer and autumn, which is the reason for the local variations in yields.’ ’The higher yield levels overall also reflect the extensive efficiency improvements made within beet growing in our region in the past few years. In consequence, the average yield level for the 20% growers generating the highest yields is now around 11-12 tonnes of sugar per hectare in most of our production countries. Beet growing is now concentrated with farmers who focus strongly on this crop to the effect that sugar beet has become a key, stable crop in Northern Europe. This puts the sugar industry in a strong position going forward.’ ’We are very pleased that following the restructuring measures launched in response to the EU sugar reform, our production is well on track.’

Danisco's sugar output for 2007/08 by country:

Country	Production (tonnes sugar)	Production 2006/07 (tonnes sugar)	Sugar yield (tonnes sugar/ha)	*Sugar quota 2007/08) (tonnes sugar)**
Denmark	380,000	375,000	10.2 (9.5)	391,000
Sweden	354,000	314,000	9.3 (7.7)	308,000
Finland	101,000	130,000	7.1 (6.2)	87,000
Germany	136,000	114,000	9.5 (8.5)	115,000
Lithuania	98,000	77,000	8.9 (6.5)	71,000

(Figures for the 2006/07 campaign are shown in brackets).
*) After purchase of additional quota in Denmark and Sweden in 2007. The purchase was made in September 2007 after the sowing of beet for the campaign just ended.

For further information, please contact:

Thomas B. Olsen, Executive Vice President, Danisco Sugar, tel.: +45 3266 2500, or
Mariann Mellström, Communications Officer, Danisco Sugar, tel.: +45 3266 2541, mobile: +46 709 53 71 24.

Danisco’s sugar production exceeds 1 million tonnes

Danisco når sukkerproduktion på godt 1 mio. tons

Beet sugar production will continue in Finland

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:16:00 +0100

Sucros Oy and its owners Danisco Sugar A/S and Lännen Tehtaat Oy have decided to continue sugar production in Säkylä sugar factory. [A Danish and English version of press release for download below] This means that we can also in the future offer our customers and Finnish consumers sugar farmed and produced in Finland. Due to EU sugar reform, domestic beet sugar production has decreased 45 % from the level 2005 and is now 80.999 tons a year. This equates, however, nearly half of the consumption so domestic sugar has still an important role on a Finnish ‘dining table’. We are very satisfied that sugar beet growers and MTK/SLC have shown strong commitment to continuing beet growing substantially enough for the coming seven-year IPA period. The extended reception time of growing contracts resulted in fulfilling this year’s sugar quota added with a small extra amount. All in all 1.073 growers are willing to grow beets during the coming contract period. The total area for beet will be ca. 14.400 ha. Sugar beet growing will concentrate nearer Säkylä factory. During the next growing season the average distance of the farms from the factory will be ca. 90 km, whereas last year it was around 110 km. About 10 % of the beets will be grown further than 160 km from the factory. The average beet growing area of a single farm will increase from 10 hectares up to 13 hectares. Finnish government has in many connections highlighted the importance of continuing sugar production. Sucros, the beet growers, MTK/SLC and the Finnish government have a joint responsibility to ensure a long-term sustainable beet growing and sugar production in Finland. The decision Sucros has now made is based on all parties working in favour of continuing beet growing and beet sugar production. Säkylä sugar factory was built in 1952. During the campaign it slices on average 7.500 tons of beet daily and produces 1.100 tons of sugar out of it. The factory is giving work to ca. 70 employees the year round and in the autumn it employs additionally 40 seasonal campaign workers. The domestic beet sugar production is indirectly giving work to hundreds of people. For example during the beet campaign around 350-400 truck drivers are getting their income from sugar related transportation. Sucros Oy and its 100 % owned daughter company Finnsugar Ltd. is producing and marketing various granulated and liquid sugars, syrups and special products. The products are delivered to industrial customers in tank trucks or packed into bags and containers of different sizes. To the consumers we are offering a broad product portfolio of granulated and cube sugars, special products and syrups under the brand name Dansukker. There will be a press conference at Sucros Oy Säkylä factory 8.2.2008 at 12. For further information please contact:
Managing Director Päivi Paakkarinen, tel: +358 10 431 5200

Beet sugar production will continue in Finland

Fortsat roesukkerproduktion i Finlandntinue in Finland

Beet growing and sugar production in Finland

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:14:00 +0100

In connection with the ongoing discussions on beet growing in Finland, our subsidiary Sucros OY has issued the press release below. For further information, please contact: Mariann Mellström, Danisco Sugar Communications, Tel +45 3266 2541

Danisco Sugar to consolidate production in Lithuania

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:06:00 +0100

In order to improve competitiveness, Danisco Sugar is planning to consolidate sugar production in Lithuania at one factory. [A Danish and English version of press release for download below] Today, Danisco Sugar produces sugar at two factories in Lithuania – in Kedainiai and Panevezys. With a view to optimising the platform further, concentrating production in Kedainiai will be the most expedient solution. Only moderate investments will be required to obtain the capacity needed to produce the expected future quota volume at that factory. The consolidation also reflects Danisco Sugar’s plans to sell part of its EU quota as announced in September following the latest amendment of the EU sugar reform. Danisco Sugar will now start consultations with employees and beet growers on a renunciation of 13.5% of Danisco Sugar’s Lithuanian sugar quota and discontinuation of the factory in Panevezys after the 2007 campaign. Around 200 employees will be affected by the planned factory closure. As in the case of previous factory closures, Danisco Sugar will be working closely with employee representatives to offer a wide range of support measures for the affected employees.

For further information, please contact:

Mogens Granborg, Executive Vice President, Danisco A/S, tel.: +45 3266 2000
Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications Manager, Danisco Sugar A/S, tel.: +45 3266 2588, mobile: +45 4011 6695

Danisco Sugar to consolidate production in Lithuania

Danisco Sugar konsoliderer produktionen i Litauen

The EU takes key steps to restore sugar market balance. Operating profit (EBIT) in Danisco Sugar upgraded by DKK 150 million to DKK 450 million

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:18:00 +0200

Following the newly adopted amendment of the EU sugar reform, Danisco plans to sell part of its quota and buy additional quota in Denmark and Sweden with a view to maintaining production efficiency.

Notice no. 29/2007

Yesterday, as expected, the EU agriculture ministers adopted a number of changes to the sugar regime introduced in 2006. The objective is to further encourage voluntary quota renunciation and thereby ensure the required reduction of European sugar production. As a new incentive, beet growers will be allowed to sell 10% of the quota. Moreover, sugar producers who sell a quota share corresponding to no less than the EU Commission’s temporary quota withdrawal for 2007/08 will receive a refund of the restructuring levy charged on the quota withdrawn. Executive Vice President, Mogens Granborg, Danisco A/S, says in a comment:
’We are very satisfied with the steps taken. This amendment comprises a range of positive elements in that it provides clarity and rectifies some of the inexpedient aspects of the 2006 reform. We expect the new incentives to accelerate the reduction of sugar production in Europe, bringing us back on track to restoring the market balance.’

Voluntary quota reduction

Expecting that beet growers will take advantage of the possibility to sell quota, Danisco will enter into negotiations with growers and employees for a quota sale of up to 13.5% in all its production countries, corresponding to a total of around 135,000 tonnes of sugar. Per country, this is on a par with the temporary quota withdrawal adopted by the EU Commission in the spring of 2007. The quota reduction will be in force as from 2008/09. The financial aspect of beet growing varies widely from country to country, and not until it has been clarified to which extent beet growers will sell quota, will it be possible to decide on the distribution of the final quota sale.

Quota purchases in Denmark and Sweden

In order to minimise the effect of this quota reduction in Denmark and Sweden, Danisco Sugar has moreover decided to exploit the possibility offered by the 2006 sugar reform of buying quota. We therefore set out to buy around 32,000 tonnes of quota in Denmark and around 18,000 tonnes of quota in Sweden with effect from 2007/08. This is to ensure the optimum production volume at Danisco Sugar's most efficient sugar factories, which use beet from the best cultivation areas in the respective countries. According to harvest forecasts, sugar yields in Denmark and Sweden are on a par with the Central European level, which underpins the future prospects of sugar beet as a commercially attractive crop for the agricultural sector. Planned quota purchases and sales will mean a net reduction in Danisco’s overall sugar quota of around 85,000 tonnes to around 967,000 tonnes.

Outlook for 2007/08

Quota purchases in Denmark and Sweden will represent a total investment of approx. DKK 220 million to be depreciated over eight years. Danish Sugar Beet Growers and Betodlarna in Sweden will contribute to the investment. As a result of quota sales, Danisco Sugar will avoid a restructuring levy of approx. DKK 150 million in 2007/08. Against this background, Danisco A/S is upgrading the operating profit (EBIT) estimate for the year in Sugar from around DKK 300 million to around DKK 450 million. Quota sales are estimated to contribute earnings of approx. DKK 180 million to be recognised under special items. The detailed effect of net quota sales and other items pertaining to the restructuring, including write-down of fixed assets, is expected to be known at the announcement of the Q2 results in December 2007. These items will also be recognised under special items. The expected profit for the year after share-based payments is increased from more than DKK 1,350 million to more than DKK 1,450 million.

Long-term outlook for Danisco Sugar A/S

We believe that the changes to the reform will lead to significant sales of quota in the EU in the next six months, which will create a better balance between demand and supply in the European sugar market. This forms a key basis for the further development of Danisco’s sugar division under a new ownership structure that will now become a reality, just as it supports the announced time frame for establishment of a new ownership structure within the next 1 to 2 years. The long-term target of reverting to an EBIT margin of at least 10% is supported by the amended sugar reform. Quota sales and, consequently, lower production mean that we expect long-term revenue in the interval between DKK 5.0 and 5.5 billion. Yours faithfully Tom Knutzen
CEO For further information, please contact
Mogens Granborg, Executive Vice President, tel.: +45 3266 2000
Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications Manager, Danisco Sugar, tel.: +45 3266 2588
Investor Relations, tel.: +45 3266 2912, investor@danisco.com
Media Relations, tel.: +45 3266 2913, info@danisco.com

Continued strong potential for Danisco’s sugar production in 2007

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:27:00 +0200

The results of this year’s second field samples support the positive harvest forecasts. Following a good start to the growing season with extremely favourable weather conditions in the spring, a warm and rainy period has ensured continued strong beet growth in the countries in with Danisco has sugar production. Consequently, Danisco continues to expect sugar production to significantly exceed the Group’s total EU quota of 929,000 tonnes. In a comment to the harvest forecast, Executive Vice President Thomas B. Olsen, Agriculture, says:
’We are seeing record-high sugar yields in most countries, which is very positive since it reconfirms, once again, the solid potential for beet sugar production in our region. We are not least pleased with the increasingly competitive yields in Lithuania. The favourable results not only reflect the weather conditions but also significant structural developments in the agricultural sector to the effect that beet growing is now concentrated on the most efficient growers. Danisco will be kicking off the 2007 campaign during the next few weeks and will be gaining the first experience from the sugar division’s new factory structure with production concentrated on fewer units. The results of the second field samples collected on 3 September 2007 were as follows:

	Tonnes beet per ha	% sugar in beet	Tonnes sugar per ha
Denmark	68.9 (61.0)	15.7 (15.8)	10.8 (9.7)
Sweden	64.0 (53.1)	16.1 (16.2)	10.3 (8.6)
Germany	74.5 (61.8)	15.7 (16.0)	11.7 (9.9)
Finland	49.5 (38.1)	15.3 (14.7)	7.6 (5.7)
Lithuania	70.5 (45.6)	14.4 (15.1)	10.2 (6.8)

The average results of the past five years are shown in brackets. The beet sample results do not change the previously announced expectations for the Sugar division's earnings for the current financial year. For further information, please contact:
Thomas B. Olsen, Executive Vice President, Agriculture, Danisco Sugar, tel.: +45 32 66 25 85 Dorthe Lindgreen, Communications Manager, Danisco Sugar A/S, tel.: +45 32 66 25 88 / 40 11 66 95