Ad-hoc | 15 July 2005 07:58

AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG: AGRANA Reports a Successful First Quarter of 2005/06

Ad hoc announcement AGRANA/Balance Sheet/Results of the First Quarter of 2005/06 AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG: AGRANA Reports a Successful First Quarter of 2005/06 Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— The AGRANA Group’s revenues during the first quarter of the current 2005/06 financial year (1 March through 31 May 2005) were 23.5 per cent up on the same period of 2004/05 at EUR 282.1 million. Because of lower sugar prices and high but less profitable sugar exports, the group’s first-quarter profit from operating activities was 4.7 per cent below the previous year’s excellent figure of EUR 19.3 million at EUR 18.4 million. Its first-quarter consolidated earnings came to EUR 13.7 million (Q1 2004/05: EUR 14.0 million). There was a net increase in cash and cash equivalents of EUR 16.0 million during the first quarter of 2005/06, as against a net decrease of EUR 18.9 million in the same period of the previous financial year. AGRANA – IFRS Figures (1 March – 31 May) in EURmn Q1 2005/06 Q1 2004/05 Revenues 282.1 228.5 Profit from operating activities 18.4 19.2 Profit before income tax 17.8 17.2 Consolidated earnings 13.7 14.0 Capital expenditure on tangible fixed assets during Q1 12.1 5.0 Staff 4,622 3,464 Outlook The development of revenues this financial year will reflect AGRANA’s rapid growth, especially in the fruit sector. The inclusion of the Atys Group in the scope of consolidation as of the second quarter of 2005/06 will increase revenues to over EUR 1,400 million during 2005/06, and about 40 per cent of that total will be accounted for by fruit operations. We expect a sugar quota cut by the EU (declassification). Nonetheless, AGRANA is confident of being able to build on last year’s good results. This Press Release and the First-Quarter Interim Report (in German and English) are also available in the Internet at http://www.agrana.com . AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG Donau-City-Straße 9 (Strabag-Haus) 1220 Wien Austria ISIN: AT0000603709 WKN: 060370 Listed: Amtlicher Handel in Wien End of ad hoc announcement (c)DGAP 15.07.2005 150758 Jul 05