OREANDA-NEWS. On 17 March 2008 was announced, that investment bank Dragon Capital and East Capital Bering Ukraine Fund jointly acquire a 70% stake from Chumak’s co-founder, Professor Hans Rausing. Chumak is the largest tomato processing company in Central and Eastern Europe and one of Ukraine’s top brands.

Dr. Tuve Johannesson, representing Professor Hans Rausing, comments: “Dragon Capital was selected as an advisor and core investor in this transaction to divest our share in Chumak. Chumak represents one of our most successful direct investments into the former Soviet Union, thus the company’s further success and strong shareholder support are very significant to us. The Rausing family is very pleased that this agreement has been reached with two very successful and experienced investors such as Dragon Capital and East Capital. Their proven local knowledge and international approach make us feel confident that they will ensure – together with the founders – that Chumak remains leader in the vegetable business in Ukraine and continues to play an important role as responsible corporate citizen and role model in Kakhovka, Kherson Region”.

Brian Best, Dragon Capital’s Managing Director of Investment Banking, says: “Chumak is one of the strongest FMCG brands in Ukraine with a unique supply chain and production platform combined with strong local consumer knowledge. We see excellent business opportunities, especially in the agricultural division, and we will continue to aggressively expand the company together with its founders and East Capital. We plan significant equity and debt capital raising on foreign markets to make this happen.”

Carl Sturen, co-founder and Managing Director of Chumak, comments: “First of all, our organization, my partner Johan Boden and I want to thank Professor Rausing for the past 12 years of successful cooperation. As co-founders of Chumak, the staying shareholders and management, Johan and I welcome our new partners and look forward to continue our growth together in the rapidly developing Ukrainian and neighboring markets”.

"Chumak is a fantastic entrepreneurial company that we met already in 1997. Very early on Chumak realized and seized the opportunity in the dynamic Ukrainian market – known as the 'bread basket' of the former Soviet Union. We see a lot of renewed opportunities in the fast growing food and agricultural sectors", says Aivaras Abromavicius, Partner at East Capital.