euro adhoc: AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG / Financial Figures/Balance Sheet / AGRANA expanded by 52.9 per cent in the 2005|06 financial year

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Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc.
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21.05.2006

The AGRANA Group attained revenue growth of 52.9 per cent to EUR
1,499.6 million in the 2005|06 financial year (1 March 2005 through
28 February 2006), as against EUR 981.0 million in 2004|05. This
increase was mainly due to the consolidation of the Wink Group as of
1 January 2005 and of the Atys Group - the world market leader in
fruit preparations - as of the second quarter of 2005|06 as well as
significantly higher sugar sales by volume. Operating profit
increased by 9.6 per cent to EUR 99.5 million (2004|05: EUR 90.8
million). That increase was fuelled by the stronger results in the
Starch and Fruit Divisions, which overcompensated for the lower
result in the Sugar Division. Income from operations (after
restructuring expenses) declined to EUR 75.0 million (2004|05: EUR
90.8 million). This result includes one-off restructuring expenses of
EUR 24.5 million. As a consequence of the reform of the EU Sugar CMO,
two of the Group’s eleven sugar factories were closed down. Profit
from investing and financial activities dropped from plus EUR 2.4
million in the previous financial year to minus EUR 3.3 million in
the 2005|06 financial year. The result was primarily affected by the
acquisition of the remaining stakes in Atys and Steirerobst and the
associated higher interest expense. Consolidated earnings for the
year decreased from EUR 84.3 million to EUR 64.7 million. The Board
of Management and the Supervisory Board will be asking the
Shareholders’ Meeting July 14, 2006, to approve the same dividend as
for the previous year, namely EUR 1.95 per share. The distribution on
14.2 million shares would come to roughly EUR 27.7 million as a
result. Because of restructuring, this would increase the
distribution ratio to some 44 per cent, as against 35 per cent with
respect to the previous year. This reflects AGRANA’s
continuityoriented dividend policy.

Sugar Segment The Sugar Division recorded a substantial 13.9 per cent
increase in revenues to EUR 753.8 million (2004|05: EUR 661.6
million). That growth was attributable to higher sugar exports and
first-time deliveries within the scope of the EU intervention system.
Due to lower domestic prices, cuts in export refunds and higher EU
levies as well as freight and energy costs, operating profit in the
Sugar Segment amounted to EUR 38.7 million, which was below the
record level of the previous year (EUR 60.7 million).

Specialties Segment (Starch and Fruit) The Specialties Segment was
characterised by the full consolidation of the Wink and Atys Groups
in the 2005|06 financial year. As a result, revenues expanded by
133.5 per cent to EUR 745.8 million (2004|05: EUR 319.4 million). The
Specialties Segment hence already generated 49.7 per cent of AGRANA’s
total revenues. Operating profit doubled to EUR 60.8 million
(2004|05: EUR 30.1 million).

Outlook During the current 2006|07 financial year, the Group will
continue its strategy of value oriented growth. Restructuring carried
out within the Sugar Division during the financial year is saving
costs and improving efficiency. In addition, no further burdensome
restructuring is likely to be necessary. The development of revenues
and profits will depend greatly on the Specialties Segment. The key
factors will be capacity enlargements in the Starch Division, whereby
the focus will be on specialist starch products, the expansion of the
Group’s bioethanol operations in Hungary and strong organic growth in
the Fruit Division. An equity ratio of about 48 per cent in 2005|06
as well as net cash from operating activities and moderate gearing
are creating additional leeway for further acquisitions. Overall,
revenues are expected to continue to grow from nearly EUR 1.5 billion
to roughly EUR 1.8 billion in 2006|07. Part of the increase will be
due to the change in the balance-sheet dates of the fruit
subsidiaries from December 31 to the last day of February.

mnEUR 2005|06 2004|05
Revenues 1,499.6 981.0
Operating profit 99.5 90.8
Net restructuring income (expenses) (24.5) -
Income from operations 75.0 90.8
Profit before income tax 71.7 93.2
Consolidated earnings for the year 64.7 84.3
- of which attributable to shareholders
of AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG 62.7 79.9
- of which minorities 2.0 4.4
Earnings per share 4.42 7.18/5.62*
Capital expenditure on tangible fixed assets 91.2 52.1
Staff 8,130 4,958

* Based on the number of shares in circulation as of 28 February 2005

The press release and the current annual report for the 2005|06
financial year are available in German and English also on
www.agrana.com.

end of announcement euro adhoc 22.05.2006 07:25:00
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ots Originaltext: AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:
AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG
Doris Schober
Investor Relations/Corporate Communications
Phone: +43-1-211 37-12084
e-mail:investor.relations@agrana.at

Branche: Food
ISIN: AT0000603709
WKN: 779535
Index: ATX Prime, WBI
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market