A group of 400 farmers from Transylvania, organized in an association led by the Sibiu farmer Teodor Aflat, succeeded in taking over the Ludus sugar factory that the French Tereos group was planning to close down.
Beet growers say they have persuaded the French group to sell them a majority stake, Profit.ro reported. But the terms of the contract are confidential.
Canned food producer Scandia, located not far from Ludus in Sibiu, was reportedly among those exploring the options to take over the sugar factory - but they reported that the French owners asked for a "prohibitive price" and a binding offer before the evaluation of the factory.
Romania imports some 75 percent of the 500,000 tonnes of sugar it consumes. Only two factories are still in operation, including Ludus, with the other being Agrana.
andrei@romania-insider.com