UK-based ingredients group Tate & Lyle has snapped up a minority stake in a sugar venture in Lao.


The company has spent GBP2m (US$4m) on a 10% shareholding in Mitr Lao Sugar, a joint venture with Asian sugar manufacturer Mitr Phol Group.


The venture has signaled it plans to spend around GBP58m in the production of sugar in Lao. Tate & Lyle said its investment in the venture would help secure sugar supplies for the EU.


Ian Bacon, chief executive of Tate & Lyle’s European sugars division said: “By joining forces we have created a valuable investment and secured a reliable, long-term supply of raw sugar to our refineries in the EU. This is a good example of how Tate & Lyle is responding to changes in the EU sugar market.”