Sojaprotein opens new EUR 30 million factory in Becej

(Zoran Mitrovic and Bojan Pajtic)

Victoria Group has ceremoniously commissioned Sojaprotein's new factory, with the capacity of 70,000 tonnes, in which about EUR 30 million was invested. In that way, the total annual processing capacity is increased to 250,000 tonnes of soybeans.

The new factory for producing traditional soybean protein concentrates in Becej is a unique complex in Europe because it unites all phases of soybean processing. The products of the newly opened factory have the widest application in the food industry, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry, considering a high percentage of proteins they contain.

Thanks to this investment, instead of current 50 percent, Sojaprotein will export nearly 80 percent of products, which are mainly based on non-genetically modified soybean.

- Our investments over the next two years will exceed EUR 100 million. A major portion of these investments will be directed to Sojaprotein. The next big investment will be made in a starch factory in Zrenjanin, followed by a new investment in Sojaprotein, that is, in the construction of a new factory. Also, the group makes significant investments in renewable energy generation projects, and we will also invest in such power plants. Concretely, a power plant powered by sunflower shells will be opened in Sid on November 1st, another power plant powered by soybean and wheat hay will be put into operation as part of Sojaprotein, while two future biomass power plants will be an integral part of the starch factory in Zrenjanin - said Victoria Group CEO Zoran Mitrovic.

Vojvodina Prime Minister Bojan Pajtic stressed that the opening of Victoria Group's new factory was one of the best news in Serbia in 2012. He pointed out that that factory would be exporting about EUR 70 million worth of products, which would substantially improve Serbia's balance of trade and its position on the international economic scene.

- Let us also mention that Sojaprotein and Victoria Group cooperate with 40,000 businessmen, thus making Vojvodina's agricultural sector much stronger - Pajtic noted.

Soybean will be imported

Zoran Mitrovic said that, unfortunately, there is not enough domestic soybean to satisfy the factory's needs.

- We had to seek alternative sources of supply, but it is important that the factory will not cease to operate. A portion of raw materials will also be exported, but we are all aware of the fact that sunflower and soybean outputs this year dropped 20 and 50 percent, respectively.

He was unable to specify whether genetically modified soybean would be imported too, explaining that that depended on legislation, that is, its amendments.

Sojaprotein is one of the rare companies in the world that process non-genetically modified soybean (non GMO) of strictly controlled origin and quality.

(Ian Brown)

EBRD invests in another agrarian company?

Given that the owner of 25 percent of shares in Victoria Group is the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the opening ceremony of Sojaprotein's new factory was also attended by the acting director of the EBRD office in Serbia, Ian Brown.

Brown told eKapija that the EBRD would commit additional EUR 400 million to Serbia in 2013, approximately as much as they had invested in the country in 2012.

- That money will be directed to several domains, including agriculture. We also plan to invest in Victoria Group and, possibly, in some other agricultural companies - Brown explained.

In 2011, Victoria Group reported the profit of EUR 14 million and EUR 45 million worth of exports. Sojaprotein's products are exported to more than 40 countries - the EU, Russian Federation, CEFTA and EFTA countries, Near and Middle East, Turkey and North Africa.

J.DJ.