Yields from the 2009 apple harvest were higher than in the year before.

According to estimates, total Chinese production volume of apple juice concentrate in 2009 was about 65% of the record amount reached in 2008.

In red berries, despite reduced raw material prices, AGRANA was able to buy the necessary quantities, largely in Poland, Denmark, Hungary and Ukraine (the industry term “red berries” includes strawberries, raspberries, black and red currants, sour cherries, chokeberries and elderberries).

The mild autumn resulted in a crop of processing apples of above-average quality.

For the first time, apple juice concentrate from organically grown fruit was produced in Hungary.

Demand for organic grades is expected to rise with the labelling requirement under the EU organic legislation taking effect on 1 July 2010.

The inventory reduction in the Sugar segment was the result of the lower sugar volumes in inventory and lower valuations for quota sugar after the EU restructuring levy ’s elimination from the 2009 | 10 sugar marketing year onward.

At the same time, inventory value declined in the Fruit segment, reflecting higher sales quantities of apple juice concentrate and reduced valuations as a consequence of the lower raw material prices.

AGRANA further improved its capital structure in the 2009|10 financial year.