REG - Assoc.British Foods - ABF provides an update on its Sugar business

Associated British FoodsAnnouncement

26/06/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 4498O  Associated British Foods PLC  26 June 2025

 

 

 

26 June 2025

 

ABF provides an update on its Sugar business

 

Associated British Foods plc ("ABF") is today providing an update on its Sugar
business.

 

Vivergo

In our interim results announcement on 29 April 2025, we stated that the
commercial viability of Vivergo, our bioethanol business, was being undermined
by the way in which the UK Government was applying regulations to imported
ethanol. Since then, the situation has been made significantly worse by the
UK's trade deal with the US, which will allow tariff-free US ethanol into the
UK. ABF has engaged in extensive discussions with the Government to find a
financial and regulatory solution that would enable Vivergo to operate on a
profitable and sustainable basis. Yesterday, our extended deadline for the
Government to deliver that solution passed.

 

Recognising the strategic importance of a domestic ethanol supply, the
Government has now committed to formal negotiations to reach a sustainable
solution. Given the outcome of the negotiations is uncertain, Vivergo is
simultaneously beginning consultation with employees to effect an orderly
wind-down, with wheat purchases having ceased from 11 June. Unless the
Government is able to provide both short-term funding of Vivergo's losses and
a longer-term solution, we intend to close the plant once the consultation
process has completed and the business has fulfilled its contractual
obligations. We would cease all manufacturing before the end of our financial
year on 13 September 2025.

 

Azucarera

Our interim results also highlighted that our Spanish sugar business,
Azucarera, was undertaking an operational review. This has now been completed
and Azucarera began a restructuring process in May. It has announced a
reduction in its beet manufacturing footprint to one facility in the north,
which will simplify its manufacturing operations, reduce cost and improve
efficiency.

 

Sugar outlook - 2025 financial year

High rainfall has caused a slow start to our processing season in Africa. The
seasonal peak in our African profit generation is always over the last two
months of the financial year. Production is running at elevated levels to
recover some of the initial shortfall. On this basis, the overall guidance for
our Sugar business in this financial year remains unchanged.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

Associated British Foods

+44 20 7399 6545

Joana Edwards, Interim Finance Director

Lucinda Baker, Head of Investor Relations

Chris Barrie, Corporate Affairs Director

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

+44 20 7638 9571

Claire de Groot

Sabine Pirone

Public First

George Ryan      +44 7906 501132

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