Southridge Partners II Enters Into A $20 Million Equity Purchase Agreement With Stevia Corp.
February 1, 2012

RIDGEFIELD, CT, February 1, 2012 – Stephen Hicks, Chairman and CEO of Southridge, announced today that Southridge Partners II LP ("Southridge"), an institutional investor, has entered into a $20 million equity purchase agreement with Stevia Corp. a farm management company focused on the economic development of stevia, the fastest growing product in the alternative sweetener sector.

Stevia Corp. (OTCBB: STEV), ("Stevia Corp." or the "Company"), is a farm management company focused on best practice agronomic competency in order to deliver high value stevia through proprietary plant breeding, excellent agricultural methodologies and innovative post-harvest techniques. To date, the Company has acquired two grower supply contracts and three nursery fields in Vietnam.

Mr. George Blankenbaker, Stevia Corp. President, comments, "This is an important milestone for Stevia Corp. to have accomplished. We have attracted and won the confidence of a forward-thinking institutional investor which says a lot about their conviction regarding our vision, management approach, and overall market demand. Having a flexible and low cost funding instrument in place allows us to efficiently accelerate our commercialization and acquisition strategies."

Market research group, Mintel, has said it expects sales of stevia sweetened products to top $2 billion in 2011. In 2010, stevia products were launched across thirty-five countries and in 38 categories. Zenith International estimates worldwide sales of stevia extract reached 3,500 tons in 2010 with an overall market value of $285 million and forecasts the global market for stevia will reach 11,000 tons by 2014 requiring the tripling of stevia leaf production at the farm level to keep pace with consumer demand.

Southridge seeks investments in emerging growth areas, domestically and in international markets. Southridge has successfully participated in providing over $1.7 billion in capital to companies in the United States, Asia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia amongst other markets.

About Southridge

Southridge is a diversified financial holding company specializing in direct investment and advisory services to small and middle market companies.

  Download PDF Version