Bunge LTD WKN 762269

Bunge Sees Expansion As Key to Profit

Tuesday October 2, 3:00 pm ET
By Lauren Tara Lacapra, AP Business Writer
Bunge Executives Say Product Diversity and Expansion Will Drive Results

NEW YORK (AP) -- Agricultural company Bunge Ltd. has a simple strategy: Expand far and fast.

"We want to be involved in as many product lines as we possibly can across as many geographies as we possibly can," Tim Gallagher, head of the company's North America operations told investors at Citi's "Ethanol on the Cob" biofuels conference on Tuesday.

ADVERTISEMENT
Global demand for Bunge's core products -- soybean meal and vegetable oil -- has grown steadily since the early 1990s, averaging about 5 percent each year. But accelerated growth in biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel has been the "biggest shock our industry has seen in years," Gallagher said.

But while noting recent enthusiasm and support for biofuels, Bunge executives stressed product diversity and expansion as keys to future success.

Bunge conducts business across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and is heavily vested in Brazil, where there is a growing market for Bunge's fertilizer products. The company is focusing on the developing world, where per-capita income may be lower, but markets are growing at a much faster pace than in places like the U.S., Europe and Japan.

Bunge's agribusiness segment, which includes corn, represents 40 percent of its operating profit, as does its fertilizer business. Food products like oil, butter and mayonnaise, represent the remaining 20 percent.

The ethanol industry has garnered harsh criticism in recent months as it has expanded production capacity despite a supply glut because refiners have not stepped up capacity to blend the product with gasoline. As a result of basic supply and demand issues, corn prices have risen and ethanol prices have fallen.

Following that industry trend, Bunge and its partners are starting up two new ethanol facilites in Mississippi and Iowa, as well as three biodiesel facilities in Illinois, Louisiana and Kansas. However, Bunge remains cautious about putting all its eggs in the biofuels basket.

Todd Bastean, head of Bunge's North America biofuels business, said volatility in commodity prices and supply and demand issues have restrained the company's excitement about the relatively new market.

In order to make biofuels profitable, companies will "have to be very, very good at risk management," Bastean said. He added that government incentives and technological developments will be important to future success.

Shares fell $4.32, or 4 percent, to $103.99 in afternoon trading.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071002/bunge_ltd_business_overview.html
--------------------------------------------------
Es ist schon über so viele Dinge Gras gewachsen, dass ich keiner grünen Wiese mehr traue !


Gruß
KTM 950  

02.10.2007 23:31
Bunge Limited Declares Quarterly Dividends on Common and Preference Shares

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bunge Limited (Nachrichten) , an integrated, global agribusiness and food company, today declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per common share. The dividend is payable on November 30, 2007 to shareholders of record on November 16, 2007.

The company also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.21875 per share on its 4.875% cumulative convertible perpetual preference shares. The dividend is payable on December 1, 2007 to shareholders of record on November 15, 2007.

About Bunge Limited

Bunge Limited (http://www.bunge.com/) is a leading global agribusiness and food company founded in 1818 and headquartered in White Plains, New York. Bunge's over 22,000 employees in over 30 countries enhance lives by improving the global agribusiness and food production chain. The company supplies fertilizer to farmers in South America, originates, transports and processes oilseeds, grains and other agricultural commodities worldwide, produces food products for commercial customers and consumers, and supplies raw materials and services to the biofuels industry.

http://www.finanznachrichten.de/...ichten-2007-10/artikel-9143438.asp
--------------------------------------------------
Es ist schon über so viele Dinge Gras gewachsen, dass ich keiner grünen Wiese mehr traue !


Gruß
KTM 950  

Kulmbach (aktiencheck.de AG) - Nach Ansicht der Experten vom Anlegermagazin "Der Aktionär" ist die Bunge-Aktie (ISIN BMG169621056/ WKN 762269) eine Bereicherung für ein breit diversifiziertes Depot.

Schon vor einem Jahr hätten die Experten den Titel empfohlen. Bunge sei der weltgrößte Produzent und Händler von Sojaprodukten. Der Bedarf an Soja wachse kontinuierlich, da der Agrarrohstoff verstärkt als Tierfutter eingesetzt werde und die Nachfrage nach Fleisch steige. Zudem werde Soja zur Herstellung von Biodiesel verwendet. Jüngst habe Bunge Agroindustrial Santa Juliana übernommen, um seine Position im Bereich Bioethanol zu stärken. Der Konzern wolle in einigen Jahren bei Ethanol zu den Top Playern gehören.

Nach Ansicht der Experten von "Der Aktionär" ist die Aktie von Bunge ein aussichtsreiches Investment und für ein breit diversifiziertes Depot geeignet. Das Kursziel sehe man bei 95,00 Euro. Anleger sollten einen Stoppkurs bei 59,90 Euro platzieren. (Ausgabe 41) (04.10.2007/ac/a/a)  

Bunge "buy," target price raised - update

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:03:17 AM ET
Deutsche Securities

NEW YORK, October 17 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Deutsche Bank Securities reiterate their "buy" rating on Bunge (BG.NYS). The target price has been raised from $98 to $115.

In a research note published yesterday, the analysts mention that the demand for soy-related products continues to be healthy. The company?s capacity utilization is improving, the analysts say.

http://www.newratings.com/analyst_news/article_1631860.html
--------------------------------------------------
Es ist schon über so viele Dinge Gras gewachsen, dass ich keiner grünen Wiese mehr traue !


Gruß
KTM 950  

25.10.2007 15:39
Bunge 3Q profit more than doubles

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) - Bunge Ltd (Nachrichten) .'s profit more than doubled in the third quarter due to strong global demand for grains and higher prices for fertilizer, the agriculture and food products company said Thursday.

Net income rose to $351 million, or $2.70 per share, from $169 million, or $1.40 per share, a year earlier. Sales rose 82 percent to $12.68 billion from $6.97 billion.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of $1.78 per share on $9.47 billion in sales, on average.

'Recently, we have seen a temporary shift from food products to agribusiness,' Chief Executive Alberto Weisser said in a statement. 'Having an integrated business that stretches from farm to retail shelf enables Bunge to capture value at numerous points.'

Grain origination and oilseed processing margins rose in Bunge's agribusiness segment, and fertilizer margins rose though demand slowed, thanks to increased prices in international markets.

Slowed fertilizer demand, which Bunge had forecast, was 'somewhat surprising,' Morgan Stanley analyst Vincent Andrews said in a note Thursday. However, he added, 'to be clear this is not a big deal as pricing has substantially more leverage in the earnings model than volume.'

Bunge shares rose $8.95, or 8 percent, to $121 in premarket trading.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://www.finanznachrichten.de/...ichten-2007-10/artikel-9308902.asp
--------------------------------------------------
Es ist schon über so viele Dinge Gras gewachsen, dass ich keiner grünen Wiese mehr traue !


Gruß
KTM 950  

Bunge "buy," target price raised

Monday, October 29, 2007 10:30:10 AM ET
Deutsche Securities

NEW YORK, October 29 (newratings.com) - In a research note published on October 26, analysts at Deutsche Bank Securities maintain their "buy" rating on Bunge (ticker: BG). The target price has been raised from $115 to $120.

http://www.newratings.com/analyst_news/article_1639627.html

--------------------------------------------------
Es ist schon über so viele Dinge Gras gewachsen, dass ich keiner grünen Wiese mehr traue !


Gruß
KTM 950  

31.10.2007 23:45
Bunge Limited Announces Public Offering of Cumulative Mandatory Convertible Preference Shares

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bunge Limited (Nachrichten) announced today that it plans to make a public offering of cumulative mandatory convertible preference shares. The offering will be made pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The gross proceeds from the offering, before deducting commissions and expenses, are expected to be approximately $750.0 million. Bunge also intends to grant the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase a maximum of $112.5 million in additional cumulative mandatory convertible preference shares to cover over-allotments.

Bunge intends to use the net proceeds of this offering to repay indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

Citi will serve as the sole manager for the offering.

This offering of cumulative mandatory convertible preference may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering can be obtained from Citi at Brooklyn Army Terminal, 140 58th Street, 8th Floor, New York, New York 11220 (fax: (718) 765-6732).

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, these cumulative mandatory convertible preference shares in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Bunge

Bunge Limited is a leading global agribusiness and food company founded in 1818 and headquartered in White Plains, New York. Bunge's over 22,000 employees in over 30 countries enhance lives by improving the global agribusiness and food production chain. The company supplies fertilizer to farmers in South America, originates, transports and processes oilseeds, grains and other agricultural commodities worldwide, produces food products for commercial customers and consumers and supplies raw materials and services to the biofuels industry.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations and projections about our future results, performance, prospects and opportunities including whether or not we will offer the securities described herein or consummate the offering and the anticipated use of proceeds of the offering. We have tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words including "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include market conditions and other factors beyond our control and the risk factors and other cautionary statements described in our filings with the SEC, including the Risk Factors section in "Item 1A. - Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date of this release, and except as otherwise required by federal securities law, we do not have any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Bunge Limited has filed a registration statement with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the related prospectus supplement and the other documents Bunge Limited has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Bunge Limited and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at http://www.sec.gov/. Alternatively, you may obtain a copy of the prospectus supplement if you request it by calling toll-free 800-221-1037.

http://www.finanznachrichten.de/...ichten-2007-10/artikel-9357862.asp

--------------------------------------------------
Es ist schon über so viele Dinge Gras gewachsen, dass ich keiner grünen Wiese mehr traue !


Gruß
KTM 950  

Bunge ist einer der weltweit führenden Verarbeiter und Händler von Sojaprodukten. Das amerikanische Unternehmen profitiert in besonderem Maße vom hohen Ölpreis und dem damit verbundenen Biospritboom. Dies schlug sich in einem fulminanten Wachstum im dritten Quartal nieder:

Umsatzs: + 82 Prozent auf 12,7 Mrd. US-Dollar

Gewinn: + 108 Prozent auf 351

Folge der guten Zahlen war die Anhebung der Prognose für das Ergebnis von 5,02 Dollar je Aktie auf 5,32 bis 5,46 je Aktie.
 

05.12.2007 17:52
Bunge Names General Managers of North American Oils and Milling Units

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Bunge (Nachrichten) North America, the North American operating arm of Bunge Limited , announced that it has promoted Rodney Perry to vice president and general manager of Bunge Oils and Todd Bastean to vice president and general manager of Bunge Milling.

As general manager of Bunge Oils, Rodney Perry will be responsible for leading the Oils team working to manage Bunge's assets and organization to provide customers with innovative, functional and competitive products. Perry has been with Bunge since 2000 when he joined Bunge Milling as sales manager. Most recently, he served as vice president and general manager of Bunge Milling.

Todd Bastean has been with Bunge since 1992 and as general manager of Bunge Milling he will oversee all sales, operations and commercial activities. Currently the vice president and general manager of Bunge Biofuels, Bastean has served in a number of roles including chief administration officer for Bunge Milling.

"I have worked with Todd and Rodney for a number of years and am confident in their abilities to help these business units continue to grow," said Fred Luckey, executive vice president, Bunge North America. "Both understand the food ingredient industry and the need to balance efficient production while providing quality customer service."

About Bunge North America

Bunge North America (http://www.bungenorthamerica.com/), the North American operating arm of Bunge Limited , is a vertically integrated food and feed ingredient company, supplying raw and processed agricultural commodities and specialized food ingredients to a wide range of customers in the livestock, poultry, food processor, foodservice and bakery industries. With headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, Bunge North America and its subsidiaries operate grain elevators, oilseed processing plants, edible oil refineries and packaging facilities, and corn dry mills in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

About Bunge Limited

Bunge Limited (http://www.bunge.com/, NYSE: BG) is a leading global agribusiness and food company founded in 1818 and headquartered in White Plains, New York. Bunge's over 22,000 employees in over 30 countries enhance lives by improving the global agribusiness and food production chain. The company supplies fertilizer to farmers in South America, originates, transports and processes oilseeds, grains and other agricultural commodities worldwide, produces food products for commercial customers and consumers and supplies raw materials and services to the biofuels industry.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations and projections about our future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. We have tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words including "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "continue" and similar expressions. These forward- looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities, as well as those of the markets we serve or intend to serve, to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward- looking statements. The following important factors, among others, could affect our business and financial performance: our ability to complete, integrate and benefit from acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic alliances; estimated demand for the commodities and other products that we sell and use in our business; industry conditions, including the cyclicality of the agribusiness industry and unpredictability of the weather; agricultural, economic and political conditions in the primary markets where we operate; and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting our business generally. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date of this release, and except as otherwise required by federal securities law, we do not have any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstance.


http://www.finanznachrichten.de/...ichten-2007-12/artikel-9626314.asp

14.12.2007 22:58
Bunge Limited Declares Dividends on Common and Preference Shares

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bunge Limited (Nachrichten) , an integrated, global agribusiness and food company, today declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on February 29, 2008 to shareholders of record on February 15, 2008.

The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.21875 per share on its 4.875% cumulative convertible perpetual preference shares. The dividend is payable on March 1, 2008 to shareholders of record on February 15, 2008.

The company also declared an initial dividend of $16.23 per share on its 5.125% cumulative mandatory convertible preference shares. The dividend is payable on March 1, 2008 to shareholders of record on February 15, 2008, and covers the period from November 7, 2007 through February 29, 2008. Subsequent quarterly dividend payments of $12.8125 per share will be payable from June 1, 2008 through December 1, 2010 on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year.

About Bunge Limited

Bunge Limited (http://www.bunge.com/) is a leading global agribusiness and food company founded in 1818 and headquartered in White Plains, New York. Bunge's over 22,000 employees in over 30 countries enhance lives by improving the global agribusiness and food production chain. The company supplies fertilizer to farmers in South America, originates, transports and processes oilseeds, grains and other agricultural commodities worldwide, produces food products for commercial customers and consumers, and supplies raw materials and services to the biofuels industry.


http://www.finanznachrichten.de/...ichten-2007-12/artikel-9700620.asp

07.01.2008 15:46
Verenium and Bunge Sign New Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Enzymes for Enhanced Production of Edible Oils

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and ST. LOUIS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Verenium Corporation (News), a pioneer in the development of high performance specialty enzymes and a leading developer of cellulosic ethanol technology, and Bunge (News) Oils, Inc., a part of Bunge North America, the North American operating arm of Bunge Limited , announced today that they have signed a new agreement to develop enzyme processes for the enhanced production of edible oils. The agreement represents Bunge's continued endorsement of the development and implementation of yield-enhancing enzymatic processes for the refinement of seed oils. Bunge has also agreed to become Verenium's process implementation partner for Verenium's first commercial product for seed oil refining, Purifine(TM), a phospholipase C (PLC) enzyme.

Incorporation of Verenium's innovative PLC enzyme into the vegetable oil production process significantly improves oil yield and reduces the need for chemicals. The Purifine process provides a novel method for removing oil phospholipids during the oilseed degumming process. Oilseed processors using Purifine enzyme are expected to achieve a yield increase of between 1-2%, depending on the phospholipid content of the crude vegetable oil.

"Purifine represents an important new commercial opportunity for our Specialty Enzymes business," said Carlos A. Riva, President and Chief Executive Officer at Verenium. "We are pleased to again be partnering with Bunge, a proven leader in the oilseed processing industry and are confident that this new collaboration will greatly benefit both of our businesses."

Under the terms of the agreement, Verenium and Bunge will also collaborate to develop and commercialize next-generation custom enzymes designed to further improve the economics of vegetable oil processing. Verenium will receive research funding from Bunge to develop the enzymes.

As Verenium's process implementation partner for Purifine, Bunge will supply process expertise to Verenium to assist with the commercial scale-up of the Purifine process, with the goal of producing a validated turn-key process that can be rapidly implemented by the rest of the industry.

"Enzyme-enabled processes are beginning to play a much larger role in vegetable oil production," said Rodney Perry, Vice President and General Manager of Bunge Oils. "By partnering with Verenium, Bunge is ensuring that we will have access to the most robust and customized enzymes available."

Edible oil products include bottled vegetable and cooking oils, shortenings, margarines, and other products derived from the processing of soybeans, corn, rapeseed and other oilseed plants. Edible oils are also the primary feedstock for biodiesel production. The annual global market for edible oils for 2005 was in excess of $29 billion.(1)

About Verenium

Verenium Corporation is a leader in the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol, an environmentally-friendly and renewable transportation fuel, as well as high-performance specialty enzymes for applications within the biofuels, industrial, and health and nutrition markets. The Company possesses integrated, end-to-end capabilities in pre-treatment, novel enzyme development, fermentation, engineering, and project development and is moving rapidly to commercialize its proprietary technology for the production of ethanol from a wide array of feedstocks, including sugarcane bagasse, dedicated energy crops, agricultural waste, and wood products. In addition to the vast potential for biofuels, a multitude of large-scale industrial opportunities exist for the Company for products derived from the production of low-cost, biomass-derived sugars.

Verenium's Specialty Enzyme business harnesses the power of enzymes to create a broad range of specialty products to meet high-value commercial needs. Verenium's world class R&D organization is renowned for its capabilities in the rapid screening, identification, and expression of enzymes-proteins that act as the catalysts of biochemical reactions.

Verenium operates one of the nation's first cellulosic ethanol pilot plants, an R&D facility, in Jennings, Louisiana and expects to achieve mechanical completion of a 1.4 million gallon-per-year, demonstration-scale facility to produce cellulosic ethanol by the end of the first quarter of 2008. In addition, the Company's process technology has been licensed by Tokyo-based Marubeni Corp. and Tsukishima Kikai Co., Ltd. and has been incorporated into BioEthanol Japan's 1.4 million liter-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant in Osaka, Japan -- the world's first commercial-scale plant to produce cellulosic ethanol from wood construction waste. For more information on Verenium, visit http://www.verenium.com/.

About Bunge North America

Bunge North America (http://www.bungenorthamerica.com/), the North American operating arm of Bunge Limited , is a vertically integrated food and feed ingredient company, supplying raw and processed agricultural commodities and specialized food ingredients to a wide range of customers in the livestock, poultry, food processor, foodservice and bakery industries. With headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, Bunge North America and its subsidiaries operate grain elevators, oilseed processing plants, edible oil refineries and packaging facilities, and corn dry mills in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are "forward-looking" and involve a high degree of risk and uncertainty. These include statements related to the expected benefits of their new agreement to each of Verenium and Bunge, the benefits to oilseed processors from using Purifine enzyme, the ability of Verenium and Bunge to develop enzyme processes for the enhanced production of edible oils and biodiesel under the agreement, the ability of Verenium and Bunge to produce a validated turn-key Purifine process under the agreement and its potential implementations by the industry, and Verenium's operations, capabilities, commercial activities, target markets and cellulosic ethanol facilities, all of which are prospective. Such statements are only predictions, and actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to the differences include, but are not limited to, risks associated with Verenium's new and uncertain technologies, risks associated with Verenium's dependence on patents and proprietary rights, risks associated with Verenium's protection and enforcement of its patents and proprietary rights, technological, regulatory, competitive and other risks related to development, production, and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels and the commercial prospects of those industries, Verenium's dependence on existing collaboration, manufacturing, and/or license agreements, and its ability to achieve milestones under existing and future collaboration agreements, the ability of Verenium and its partners to commercialize products (including by obtaining any required regulatory approvals) using Verenium's technologies and timing for launching any commercialized products, the ability of Verenium and its collaborators to market and sell any products that it or they commercialize, the development or availability of competitive products or technologies, the future ability of Verenium to enter into and/or maintain collaboration and joint venture agreements and licenses, changes in the U.S. or global energy markets and risks and other uncertainties, including those more fully described in Verenium's and Bunge Limited's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Verenium and Bunge each expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward looking statements.

(1) Soya and Oilseed Bluebook, 2007 Contacts: Verenium Corporation Kelly Lindenboom Vice President, Corporate Communications 617-674-5335 kelly.lindenboom@verenium.com Bunge North America Deb Seidel Director of Communications 314.292.2000 deb.seidel@bunge.com

http://www.finanznachrichten.de/...ichten-2008-01/artikel-9813595.asp

Bunge "buy," target price raised

Monday, January 07, 2008 1:57:56 PM ET
Deutsche Securities

NEW YORK, January 7 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Deutsche Bank Securities reiterate their "buy" rating on Bunge Ltd (BG.NYS). The target price has been raised from $120 to $143.

http://www.newratings.com/analyst_news/article_1675611.html

Earnings Conference Call (tomorrow at 10:00 am ET)  

http://www.bunge.com/public/pdfs/2008-2-4Q07EPR.Final.pdf  

Die Walter Rau Lebensmittelwerke GmbH & Co. KG,
mittelständischer Produzent von Margarinen, Speisefetten und Feinkost, schließt sich
rückwirkend zum 1. Januar 2008 Bunge, einem der weltweit führenden Unternehmen
im Agrar- und Nahrungsmittelsektor, an.  

acquires Walter Rau Lebensmittelwerke GmbH & Co KG
February 07, 2008: 07:36 AM EST


LONDON, Feb. 7, 2008 (Thomson Financial delivered by Newstex) -- A subsidiary of US-listed food company Bunge Limited (OOTC:BGEPF) (NYSE:BG) has agreed to acquire Walter Rau Lebensmittelwerke GmbH & Co KG, a margarine producer based in Germany.

The acquisition has already been cleared by the competent antitrust authorities. As a result, Bunge Europe will become the market leader in the German private label margarine sector and number two in the German branded margarine sector, according to a press release.

'The acquisition of Walter Rau Lebensmittelwerke is a very important step in Bunge's strategy to strengthen its European food products footprint' stated Jean-Louis Gourbin, CEO, Bunge Europe.

Walter Rau Lebenmittelwerke GmbH & Co KG employs 280 staff and had annual combined sales of 180 mln usd in 2007. Its two plants are located in Hilter and Kleve, with the Kleve plant also manufacturing dressings.

Alexander.Wessendorff@thomson.com
Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.
Quelle
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/...AFX-0013-22846093.htm  

weiter so

http://www.ariva.de/...nnanstieg_erhoeht_Ausblick_n2694128?secu=34239
http://www.ariva.de/...ern_Jahresprognose_erhoeht_n2691154?secu=34239  

Releases
14.05.2009 08:00

Bunge and Raisio have signed an agreement on the sale of Raisio?s margarine business to Bunge. Bunge Limited is a global company that specialises in foods, the processing and sale of agricultural commodities, as well as fertilizers. The value of the transaction is EUR 80 million. The transaction will also make Bunge a new and significant Benecol partner for Raisio.

The transaction will require the approval of the competition authorities. The duration of authority processing will determine the timing of the transaction, which is currently expected to take place in the third quarter. The buyer will pay the acquisition price in cash. After tax and expenses the sales profit from the divestment is expected to be some EUR 42 million. Raisio?s equity ratio is estimated to be about 72 per cent after the transaction.

Raisio's CEO Matti Rihko says: ?The deal is an important step for Raisio towards focusing on grain-based business. The price is also very good. The transaction will bring Raisio a new, significant Benecol partner, who is looking to develop Benecol and functional foods. The divestment will bring further clarity to Raisio?s focus: the company will concentrate on grain-based products.?

Rihko adds: ?The margarine business has been put into good shape in the last two years, making it a natural addition to Bunge, which is looking to leverage its position in the Central and Northern European markets. As a global, billion-dollar company, Bunge has both the will and ability to develop the margarine business and to lead consolidation in a big sector. Raisio will continue to sell margarine products as Bunge?s partner in Finland, Sweden and Estonia. In these countries Raisio?s market position and net sales will remain unchanged. In Poland, the transaction targets Raisio Polska Foods Sp. z o.o.; Raisio will continue in grain-based snack business as a smaller, new company. The net sales of Raisio Polska Foods' in 2008 were EUR 49 million.?

The transaction encompasses the margarine plants in Finland and Poland, as well as several brands, the best known being Keiju, Makuisa, Masmix and Pyszny Duet. Bunge will also have a licensing agreement concerning the Sunnuntai and Carlshamn Mejeri brands. Around 330 of Raisio?s Finnish and Polish employees will be transferring to Bunge. The transaction doesn't effect on contract cultivation of oil seeds in Finland.

Bunge Limited (www.Bunge.com, NYSE: BG) is a leading global agribusiness and food company founded in 1818 and headquartered in White Plains, New York. Bunge's over 25,000 employees in over 30 countries enhance lives by improving the global agribusiness and food production chain. The company supplies fertilizers to farmers in South America, originates, transports and processes oilseeds, grains and other agricultural commodities worldwide, produces food products for commercial customers and consumers and supplies raw materials and services to the biofuels industry. The main product groups in the Bunge's foods division are margarines, bottled vegetable oils and mayonnaise. The Group's consolidated net sales in 2008 totalled USD 52.6 billion (EUR 39.6 billion). The company has a strong market position in bottled vegetable oils in Europe and also in margarines in Poland and Germany.

Raisio plc

Heidi Hirvonen
Communications Manager
tel. +358 50 567 3060

Further information:
Matti Rihko, CEO, Raisio plc, tel. +358 400 830 727
(assistant Teija Silomäki, tel. +358 44 782 1272)
Henri Rieux, Vice President Corporate Affairs, Bunge Europe, tel. +41 22 592 9707


Raisio will hold a press event in English on 14th May 2009 at 11.30 a.m. Finnish time at Hotel Scandic Simonkenttä in the Bulsa-Freda meeting room. The address is Simonkatu 9, Helsinki.

An event for analysts will be held on 14th May 2009 at 12.30 p.m. Finnish time at Hotel Scandic Simonkenttä in the Bulsa-Freda meeting room. The address is Simonkatu 9, Helsinki.

Raisio plc, Stock exchange release, 14 May 2009 at 8 am Finnish time