Stevia Nutra Corp Reports Successful First Growing Season in Cambodia

Updated

Stevia Nutra Corp Reports Successful First Growing Season in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Stevia Nutra Corporation (OTCQB: STNT)- (The Company), an Agro-Management company focused on stevia agronomics, is pleased to report on the successful completion of an exceptional initial growing season at the Company's Stevia Propagation Centre (SPC) in Cambodia.

The first harvest of high quality stevia leaves has commenced and samples have been prepared for third-party, independent testing to determine levels of Reb 'A' and Glycosides (totalsteviol glycosides - TSG). This measure of 'sweetness' content is a key determinant to the commercial viability of a stevia crop.


Stevia Nutra's Chief Agronomist, Dr. Ahmed El Sheikh, noted that, "The ideal growing conditions here in Cambodia combined with our choice of seed variety and rigorous agronomy protocols have proven to be very effective. The stevia plants are thriving with better than expected growth and we are optimistic that initial leaf testing will yield positive results."

Leaf samples have been sent to the prestigious 'Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' in Beijing, the highest authority for stevia testing in China. "China's expertise in stevia cultivation and refining is well established. This will be the first testing of our stevia leaf and we are eager for test results from this respected institution," Dr. El Sheikh further commented.

"I am extremely encouraged with the results of our initial growing season," noted Stevia Nutra's President, Brian Dicks. "The combined efforts of Dr. El Sheikh, his team and our local partner, Ecologica Co. Ltd., have resulted in our establishing a thriving stevia propagation operation. Matching climate, soils, nutrients and cultivation practices with a robust and productive seed variety is a challenging exercise and our team has delivered." Dicks further noted, "Our location in Kampong Speu Province, located forty-five minutes from Phnom Penh, has proven to be an excellent site for our agronomy operations and validates our selection of Cambodia as Stevia Nutra's home in SE Asia."

Dr. Hilary Rodrigues, CEO also extended his congratulations to the Cambodia team. "It is gratifying to see their efforts and dedication come to fruition on schedule and on budget. We can now move forward to the next phase of development with confidence after having successfully managed and completed this most challenging initial development phase."

About Us

Stevia Nutra:
Stevia Nutra is an Agro-Management company focused on stevia agronomics which includes plant breeding, proprietary agricultural practices and post-harvest techniques. Stevia Nutra intends to invest heavily in R&D and IP acquisition and manage large-scale plantations for the production of high value stevia products.

Stevia Nutra is dedicated to utilizing best agronomic and business practices to demonstrate the sustainability and profitability of stevia production. By subscribing to, and implementing the performance standards published by the World Bank, Stevia Nutra is committed to becoming the premier producer of the highest quality stevia. Stevia Nutra recognizes the potential this remarkable plant has to reduce the global epidemic of obesity and diabetes and promote general good health. The Company's priority will be to embrace sustainability for smarter innovation and profitable growth.

Stevia and the stevia sector:
Stevia is the world's only all natural zero calorie sweetener. Since being approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration late in 2008, stevia can now be found in over 6,000 food, beverage and medicine products, with many more new products to follow as globally consumers are making healthier food choices.

Stevia is the fastest growing sweetener product in the world. The World Health Organization estimates that stevia will replace up to 20% of the global sweetener market valued at over $10 Billion USD. Zenith International expects that stevia agriculture production will have to triple within two years to keep up with the strong demand. Only one year after FDA approval in the U.S., stevia sales surged past both aspartame and saccharin in the tabletop sugar market.

Safe Harbor Statement
Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws.These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the ability of the Company to become the world's largest producer of the highest quality stevia.These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements.Such factors include, among others, the timing and completion of contemplated financings, the actual use of proceeds, receipt of regulatory approvals and the ability to secure sufficient land for cultivation.In making the forward-looking statements, the Company has applied several material assumptions including, but not limited to, the assumptions that: (1) the proposed corporate development and expansion plans will proceed as planned; (2) market fundamentals will result in sustained commodities pricing and (3) any additional financing needed will be available on reasonable terms.The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. These statements are based on our current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future events or results to be different than those described in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those relating to: lack of operating history, transitioning from a development company to an operating company, market acceptance of our products and services; operational difficulties relating to international operations; our ability to form and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with customers and strategic partners; changes in economic, political or regulatory conditions or other trends affecting the food sector, and our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Further information about these matters can be found in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Further information on the Company can be found at www.sec.gov and the company's website at www.stevianutra.com



Stevia Nutra Corporation
Brad Long, 1-888-960-STNT (7868)
Investor Relations
investor@stevianutra.com

KEYWORDS: Asia Pacific Cambodia

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

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