Südzucker AG / Key word(s): Final Results/Forecast 10.04.2015 08:48 Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mannheim, 10 April 2015 Südzucker is expecting further group operating profit decline in financial year 2015/16 Südzucker AG, Mannheim, in financial year 2014/15 (1 March 2014 to 28 February 2015) generated group revenues of about EUR 6.8 (previous year: 7.5) billion. As expected, group operating profit significantly reduced to about EUR 180 (previous year: 622) million. While segments sugar and CropEnergies posted operating profit declines, the special products segment boosted its operating profit. The fruit segment generated an operating profit on the good prior year's level. The result from restructuring/special items came in at about EUR -45 (previous year: -116) million, comprising amongst others: restructuring expense with regards to the reduction of administration cost in Tienen, Belgium; closure of the refinery at the site in Marseille, France; the temporary shutdown of CropEnergies' bioethanol plant in Wilton, UK; and in Austria the concentration of fruit preparations production at one location. Already in October 2014 and January 2015 Südzucker quarterly financial reports pointed out to the further deterioration of operating profit in the sugar segment and the ongoing burdened earnings within CropEnergies segment in financial year 2015/16. Major reason is the continued unsatisfying sales revenue environment in the European sugar and ethanol markets. Against this background Südzucker for financial year 2015/16 is expecting a group revenue decline to about EUR 6.0 - 6.3 billion and a significant decrease of group operating profit to about EUR 50 - 150 million. Also the group operating profit for the first quarter in the current financial year 2015/16 will come in significantly below previous year. Despite the prolonged difficult environment Südzucker confirms its mid-term guidance for the group operating profit of about EUR 550 million. Publication of the annual financial report 2014/15 with a detailed guidance for financial year 2015/16 will follow on 21 May 2015. Südzucker AG Central Investor Relations Department Nikolai Baltruschat Maximilianstraße 10 68165 Mannheim, Germany Phone: +49 621 421-240 Fax: +49 621 421-449 [email protected] About the Südzucker Group Südzucker, with its sugar, special products, CropEnergies and fruit segments, is one of the leading companies in the food industry. In the traditional sugar business, the group is the world market leader, with 29 sugar factories and three refineries, extending from France in the west via Belgium, Germany and Austria, through to Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, Bosnia and Moldova in the east. The special products segment, consisting of the functional ingredients for food and animal feed (BENEO), chilled/frozen products (Freiberger), portion packs (PortionPack Europe) and starch divisions, is an important growth driver. The CropEnergies segment covers the bioethanol activities in Germany, Belgium, France and the UK. In the fruit segment, the group operates internationally, is the world market leader for fruit preparations and is a leading supplier of fruit juice concentrates in Europe. 10.04.2015 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: Südzucker AG Maximilianstr. 10 68165 Mannheim Germany Phone: +49 (0)621 - 421-530 Fax: +49 (0)621 - 421-7530 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.suedzucker.de ISIN: DE0007297004, XS0606202454 DE000A1AJLE6 XS0222524372 WKN: 729700, A1GNRQ A1AJLE A0E6FU, Indices: MDAX Listed: Regulated Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart; Regulated Unofficial Market in Hanover End of Announcement DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------