Stevia Corp. Enters Into Key Research Agreement With National Institute in Vietnam
INDIANAPOLIS, IN--(Marketwire -11/29/11)- Stevia Corp. (OTC.BB: STEV.OB - News) ("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 a cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Medicinal Materials ("NIMM") to support innovative research into Stevia crop development.
NIMM is a respected government supported institute located in Hanoi, Vietnam performing comprehensive research, development and post graduate training in the identification, acclimatization and commercialization of medicinal plant resources. NIMMs expertise extends beyond national borders through a series of scientific and technical cooperative efforts with many institutes in foreign countries including Russia, Germany, China, India, Hungary, Korea, Japan, France, Thailand, Australia and Malaysia. Stevia Corp. is very pleased that NIMM has a mutual desire to support the research and development of stevia in order to meet the growing international demand for stevia products and the resultant opportunity to provide a new economic stimulus for Vietnam.
As part of the cooperative agreement, NIMM has made available certain land, buildings, facilities and access to specialized equipment for the study of stevia and its extracts.
Mr. George Blankenbaker, Stevia Corp. President, comments, "We are exceedingly pleased by the support and vote of confidence we are receiving in Vietnam to develop stevia. There is shared confidence that stevia can be developed and become a new source of economic stimulus for the Vietnam farmers and the overall economy. NIMM will be a valuable resource for our technology partner, Agro Genesis, to carry out their research and we are very fortunate to have NIMM's support."
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.
About Stevia Corp. (OTC.BB: STEV.OB - News)
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, revenue derived from farm management agreements, profitable harvests for farmers that adopt the G-Farm system, future success of certain technologies, benefits derived from research programs, potential future acquisitions, implementation of effective farm systems, commercial scaling, the development of new business opportunities, entry into new markets, worldwide sales of stevia extract and sweetened products, growth of stevia leaf production and growth of the 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.
