AVGR.L Regulatory News (AVGR)

29 January, 2013

AVANGARDCO INVESTMENTS PUBLIC LIMITED

FOURTH QUARTER 2012 AND 2012 FULL YEAR TRADING UPDATE

Кyiv, Ukraine - AVANGARDCO INVESTMENTS PUBLIC LIMITED (LSE: AVGR) ( the «Company» or «AVANGARDCO IPL»), the largest producer of shell eggs and egg products in Ukraine and number one producer in Eurasia, issues its trading update forthe fourth quarter and the full year ended 31 December 2012.

Total Flock

The total poultry flock was up by 9.6% year-on-year, with the population of laying hens increasing by 11.2% year-on-year to 22.8 million (2011: 20.5 million). The increase in poultry flock in 2012 was due to the construction and launch of new capacities at poultry complexes "Avis" and "Chornobaivske".

Shell Egg Segment

Production: In the fourth quarter of 2012 the Company increased its production volume of shell eggs by 2.9% year-on-year to 1,602million units (Q4 2011: 1,557 million units). In 2012, the production volume of shell eggs increased by 5.6% year-on-year to 6,287million units (2011: 5,955 million units) due to the increase in the number of laying hens.

Sales: In the fourth quarter of 2012 sales to external customers increased by 1.1% year-on-year to 1,344 million units (Q4 2011: 1,329 million units). In 2012, sales to external customers increased by 7.4% year-on-year to 5,223 million units (2011: 4,862 million units). The increase in sales was due to the continued expansion of sales channels, both in domestic and export markets.

Sales Through Supermarkets:In 2012 share of shell egg sales through modern retail chains (supermarkets) increased to 35% of total sales to third parties (2011: 30%).

Export: In 2012, the Company increased its export volumes of shell eggs by 74.9% year-on-year to 516 million units (2011: 295 million units), while in the fourth quarter of 2012 shell egg exports increased by 13.4% year-on-year to 212 million units (4Q 2011: 187 million units). The Company continued to develop its exports markets in the Middle East and North Africa, Central and West Africa, and the CIS. Iraq, Turkmenistan, Transnistria, Liberia, UAE and other countries served as main export markets for the Company's shell eggs.

This year Ukraine and the EU have achieved a significant progress in negotiations regarding exports of poultry products. On December 4, 2012, the European Commission's Directorate General for Health and Consumers added Ukraine to the list of non-EU countries which are allowed to export shell eggs, egg products and poultry products to the EU.

Several production facilities of the Company have already been certified and passed all the necessary quality and veterinary checks. Following the conclusion of final agreements we expect that the Company will start the supply of its shell eggs and egg products into the European market.

Average Sales Price: In the fourth quarter of 2012 the average selling price of shell eggs decreased by 6.7% year-on-year to 0.84 UAH per unit, excluding VAT (Q4 2011: 0.90 UAH per unit, excluding VAT). In 2012, the average selling price of shell eggs increased by 9.4% year-on-year to 0.70 UAH per unit, excluding VAT (2011: 0.64 UAH per unit, excluding VAT) following the increase in selling prices in all sales channels and the growth of exports in the Company's total sales.

The brand "Kvochka"

During 2012 sales of packaged eggs under the umbrella brand "Kvochka" increased to 36.2 million units (2011: 4.9 million units) following the expansion of sales channels. In the beginning of 2012 "Kvochka" branded products were sold only in national retail chains, however, starting from September 2012 the Company commenced supplies to regional retail chains and traditional format retail outlets through its network of distributors. As a result, at the end of the year the Company supplied its "Kvochka" branded products to more than 2,200 retail outlets, including 1,200 retail chains' outlets and around 1,000 traditional format retail stores.

During the year the Company launched an integrated marketing campaign targeting its "Kvochka" branded products which included the placement of promotional materials and advertising props at points of sale, outdoor advertising near points of sale and on the facades of shops, promotions and BTL-campaigns.

In October 2012, the Company also launched a nationwide charity campaign to support sport schools for young sportsmen: AVANGARDCO IPL has pledged to donate UAH 0.05 from the sale of each package of TM "Kvochka".

Egg Products Segment

Production:During 2012 the "Imperovo Foods" egg processing plant was operating at full capacity and the volume of processed shell eggs increased by 2.4% year-on-year to 14.1 thousand tonnes (2011: 12.1 thousand tonnes).

Export: In 2012, the Company exported its dry egg products to markets in the Middle East and North Africa, Asia. Taiwan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia and other countries were main export markets for processed egg products.

Average Price: In the fourth quarter of 2012 average sales price for dry egg products increased by 3.7% year-on-year to US$9.47 per kg. (Q4 2011: US$9.13 per kg). At the end of 2012 average sales price for dry egg products increased by 0.7% to US$8.11 per kg. (2011: US$8.05 per kg).  

Investment Projects

The construction of two poultry complexes for egg production "Avis" and "Chornobaivske" in Khmelnytsky and Kherson regions is going according to schedule. 

As at December 31, 2012, the Company completed the construction and put into operation the stage one of the rearing site with the capacity of 1.581 million heads and 1.608 million heads at "Avis" and "Chornobaivske", respectively, and the stage one of the laying hens site with the capacity of 3.196 million heads and 1.750 million heads at "Avis" and "Chornobaivske", respectively. As at December 31, 2012, these poultry complexes were operating at 100% capacity. Further, the Company has completed the construction of the elevator with the capacity of 56,000 tonnes at the "Avis" poultry complex.

To view the progress of the construction at "Avis" and "Chornobaivske" egg production complexes please visit: http://avangard.co.ua/rus/about/projects/.

"Imperovo Foods" Egg Processing Plant

At present the Company is constructing the first stage of its capacity upgrade from 3 million to 6 million shell eggs per day at the egg processing plant LLC "Imperovo Foods".

To view the progress of the construction at "Avis" and "Chornobaivske" egg production complexes please visit: http://avangard.co.ua/rus/about/projects/.

- Ends -

For investor's requests:

Alina Korniets

AVANGARDCO IPL

Acting Head of Investor Relations

Telephone: +38 044 593 28 60

Mobile: +38 067 664 49 99

e-mail: a.korniets@avangardco.ua

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Information for editors

AVANGARDCO IPL is one of the largest agro-industrial companies in Ukraine, specializing in the production of eggs and egg products. As of September, 30 2012, the total poultry stock of the Company was 27.4 million heads. The Company's production facilities are located in 14 regions of Ukraine and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. As of September, 30 2012, the Company exported its products to 34 countries of the world, mostly to the Middle East, Asia and the CIS countries. As of September, 30 2012, revenues amounted to US$445.8 million (9M2011: US$334.9 million) and EBITDA was US$194.0 million (9M2011: US$140.6 million).

The Company's shares, in the form of Global Depositary Receipts, have been traded on the London Stock Exchange since May 2010. The Eurobond issue for approximately $200 million with a maturity on 29 October 2015 was included in the official list of the UK Listing Authority (UKLA) and admitted to trading on a regulated market of the London Stock Exchange on November 1, 2010.

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Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Avangardco IPL. You can identify forward looking statements by terms such as "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "will," "could," "may" or "might", the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not intend to update these statements to reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Many factors could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, general economic conditions, our competitive environment, risks associated with operating in the Company's geographical locations, rapid technological and market changes in our industry, as well as many other risks specifically related to Avangardco IPL and its operations.