Agrana Closes Romanian Sugar Factory; Neagu's Bod Factory Future Unclear
Agrana, an Austrian group, has closed one of its Romanian sugar factories, leaving only two operational in the country. Meanwhile, Romanian businesswoman Mihaela Neagu, who took over the Bod sugar factory in Brasov county in 2022, faces criticism for her handling of the situation.
Neagu, who also acquired the inactive company Putzmeister in 2023, is accused by Sindalimenta of not trying to restart operations at the Bod factory. Despite plans to resume production in 2023, the factory remains closed. Neagu attributes the closure to a lack of raw material, but critics argue that she imported sugar from Ukraine and packaged it under the Bod label, suggesting other factors were at play.
Romania, which imports 75% of the 500,000 tonnes of sugar it consumes annually, is now left with fewer domestic production facilities. Neagu's plans to use the land for a real estate project instead of sugar production have raised concerns about the future of the industry in the region.
The closure of the Agrana factory and the ongoing situation at the Bod sugar factory highlight the challenges facing the Romanian sugar industry. With only two operational factories left and a significant reliance on imports, the country's sugar production and security of supply are at risk. Neagu's intentions for the Bod factory's future remain unclear, with her real estate plans potentially further impacting the industry.
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