May 14, 2009 - Geneva, Switzerland. Bunge today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the margarine businesses from Raisio plc. The agreement is subject to all necessary regulatory approvals.

“The Raisio businesses to be acquired are complementary to Bunge's existing core businesses. This acquisition is consistent with Bunge Europe’s strategy to develop its presence in the margarine market in Europe as a logical extension of its leadership in the bottled oil category”, said Jean-Louis Gourbin, CEO Bunge Europe.

Headquartered in Finland, the Raisio Group has two margarine production facilities, one in Finland located in Raisio and one in Poland located in Karczew. Raisio has a solid portfolio of consumer margarine brands with strong innovation and marketing competencies. It operates a direct sales and distribution network in Finland, Poland, Sweden and the Baltics, plus significant export sales to the UK, the Netherlands and Hungary.

“Acquiring and integrating Raisio long-established margarine business represents an opportunity for Bunge Europe to enter into new markets in Northern Europe. In Central Europe, it will advance our endeavors to create a portfolio of products with a higher growth potential and to better meet the needs of both our customers and consumers” said Tommy Jensen, Bunge Europe Vice-President for North & Central Europe.

Raisio’s expertise in margarine as well as its modern operations and innovative research and development, will allow Bunge Europe to expand its food products portfolio. Furthermore, as part of the agreement, the company will be able to develop a mutually beneficial partnership with Benecol® the world's first and best-known brand of cholesterol-lowering functional foods.

Bunge continues to improve the global agribusiness and food production chain from field to table. Bunge produces and markets bottled oils, margarines and other food products to consumers, currently being the largest bottled oil producer and marketer in Europe. The company also produces industrial vegetable oil products, margarines and shortenings for food processing and food service.