Attached files
Exhibit 99.1
STEVIA CORP. ENGAGES GROWERS SYNERGY AS FARM MANAGERS IN VIETNAM
INDIANAPOLIS, IN, Oct 31, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Stevia Corp. ("Stevia
Corp." or the "Company"), a farm management company focused on the economic
development of Stevia, the fastest growing product in the alternative sweetener
sector, is pleased to announce the engagement of Growers Synergy Pte Ltd to
provide farm management supervision in Vietnam and to ensure local adoption of
Stevia Corp.'s proprietary G-Farm* systems by contracted Vietnamese growers.
Growers Synergy is a Singapore registered farm management company holding land
leases in Indonesia and Vietnam producing crops for the domestic and export
markets. The Company also supplies fresh fruit and vegetables directly to
supermarkets and businesses in Asia and has built a substantial distribution
network.
The G-Farm system is a novel crop production system that uses best-in-class
sustainable farming practices and chemical-free solutions to produce crops.
Integral to this system is Micro Suspension (MS) Technology that produces highly
efficient MS fertilizers to increase crop yield and quality. In line with
sustainable agriculture principles, the G-Farm system incorporates variety
screening, crop rotation, comprehensive nutrient management and soil
conservation to implement best management practices in crop production.
Growers Synergy will also provide off-take agreements for the
multi/inter-cropping component of the G-Farm system that will be deployed in
Vietnam. Stevia Corp. will thus be able to guarantee a market for all products
produced by the farmers as part of its Stevia program ensuring profitable
harvests for farmers that adopt the G-Farm system. This will add considerable
value and marketability for the quick adaptation of Stevia by the local farming
communities.
Mr. George Blankenbaker, Stevia Corp. President, states, "Growers Synergy's
cross-cultural experience and deep understanding in how best to work with
indigenous farmers and its ability to provide off-take agreements with ready
markets for the multi/inter-crops is critical for the rapid adoption of Stevia
Corp.'s G-Farm systems, which is a necessity for the successful
commercialization of high Reb-A Stevia production within South East Asia."
Further details of the Company's business, finances, appointments and agreements
can be found as part of the Company's continuous public disclosure as a
reporting issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") EDGAR database. For more
information visit: www.steviacorp.us .
*G-Farm Systems and MS Technology are trademarks of Agro Genesis Pte. Ltd.
ABOUT STEVIA CORP. Stevia Corp. is a farm management company focused on best
practice agronomic competency in order to deliver high value stevia through
proprietary plant breeding, excellent agricultural methodologies and innovative
post-harvest techniques. To date, the Company has acquired two grower supply
contracts and three nursery fields in Vietnam. For more information visit:
www.steviacorp.us
ABOUT THE STEVIA INDUSTRY SECTOR. Within two years of the USA market opening,
Nielsen-based retail consumption data indicated almost $1 billion of retail
sales for the sector. Market research group, Mintel, has said it expects sales
of stevia sweetened products to top $2 billion in 2011. In 2010, stevia products
were launched across thirty-five countries and in 38 categories. Zenith
International estimates worldwide sales of stevia extract reached 3,500 tons in
2010 with an overall market value of $285 million and forecasts the global
market for stevia will reach 11,000 tons by 2014 requiring the tripling of
stevia leaf production at the farm level to keep pace with consumer demand. For
more information visit: www.steviacorp.us
NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. This news release contains
"forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27A of the
United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release
which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any
statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the
future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, deployment
and adoption of G-Farm system, profitable harvests for farmers that adopt the
G-Farm system, the development of new business opportunities, worldwide sales of
stevia extract and sweetened products, growth of stevia leaf production and
growth of stevia global market. Actual results could differ from those projected
in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include,
among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and
development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the
date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the
forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could
differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we
believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this
press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs,
plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should
consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the
risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most
recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic
reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission
