Low-fat ingredients delivering for Russian group EFKO

NPD in its ingredients category in 2011 was integral to the growth, according to the operational results for last year released by the producer, which also manufactures mayonnaise and vegetable oil branded products.

Developments from EFKO over the past 12 months included its Ekolakt milk fat substitute with phytosterol ethers for the manufacturer of spreads and Ekoslice low-fat margarines for puff pastry production last year.

The Russian group, which was set up in 1992, kicked off a long-term modernization plan in 2011 with the aim of increasing capacity at its ingredients facility in the Krasnador region by 40,000 tonnes annually.

It said that its seed processing and oil extraction plant in Alekseevka also underwent an overhaul to allow a hike in capacity during the reporting year, with the site now producing another 300 tonnes per day.

The company said volume growth of 31.4% was recorded in its mayonnaise sales, with over 86,000 tonnes of product shifting in 2011, exceeding the sales of all EFKO brands combined in 2010.

Its Sloboda mayonnaise line up was also extended over the past 12 months to include a 55.5% fat, 35% fat and 15% fat range, said the company, with its Biolite low fat version also incorporating dietary fibre.

Total volume of all bottled oils sales, noted EFKO, increased by 24% against 2010.

2011 also saw the Russian firm add to its mayonnaise production facilities by acquiring a reequipping a site near Moscow, while the manufacturer also expanded its vegetable oil terminal at Taman from 0.7 million to 1.5 million tonnes per year.