Kandit-premijer opens laboratory for soil testing and analysis

Today, a new laboratory for soil testing and analysis was opened at the “Kandit-premijer” sugar factory in Osijek, as one of the measures by which this sugar factory aims to improve sugar production.

The CEO of "Kandit Group", Josip Pavić, stated at the opening that the purpose of this institution, which has invested around 350,000 euros in equipment, is to apply expert and scientific methods of soil analysis in order to increase the quality and yield of sugar beets and achieve profitable sugar production. It was emphasized that the new laboratory will serve not only the needs of the Osijek sugar factory but also for the analysis of soil samples from the entire Osijek-Baranja County. Osijek-Baranja County Prefect Krešimir Bubalo said that by applying scientific methods, optimal production is to be ensured while also avoiding environmental pollution, with important recommendations from scientists at the University of Osijek, with which the County collaborates on such projects.

When asked to comment on the recent decision of the Croatian Privatization Fund (HFP) regarding the sale of about 38 percent of the shares of the Županja Sladorana to the Virovitica sugar factory "Vira", for which "Kandit-premijer" also applied, CEO of "Kandit Group" Josip Pavić stated that he "would not like to comment on political decisions". Assessing that the offer from the Osijek sugar factory was more favorable, especially in terms of production creditworthiness and technology, he dismissed speculations that the technology at the Osijek sugar factory is outdated.

On September 18, the Management Board of the Croatian Privatization Fund (UO HFP) accepted the offer from the Virovitica sugar factory Viro to purchase 38.115 percent of the shares of the Županja Sladorana. At that UO HFP meeting, it was noted that the next two years will be critical for Croatian sugar factories, as the EU is undergoing a reform of the sugar market order, which will reduce the protected sugar price from 630 to 404 euros, and the production of Croatian sugar factories is almost entirely based on exports to the EU. Taking this into account, as well as the better creditworthiness and operational efficiency of the Virovitica company compared to the Osijek company and better dispersion of proposed investments over a five-year period, the UO HFP accepted the offer from Vira, which will pay 111 million kuna for the shares and invest a total of 168.34 million kuna in Sladorana, it was stated at that HFP meeting. (H)