INDIANAPOLIS, IN--(Marketwired - Nov 5, 2014) - Stevia Corp. (OTCQB: STEV) ("Stevia Corp" or the "Company"), an international farm management company focused on the commercial development of natural products that support a healthy lifestyle, including stevia and hemp and their extracts, is pleased to announce the anticipated 2015 spring harvest is on track to exceed the 2014 spring harvest which more than doubled the 2013 spring harvest.
In addition, the Company is developing new core products under its Real Hemp LLC subsidiary for the US market which the company believes will have potential to generate significant revenue starting in 2015. On March 5, 2014, Stevia Corp announced the formation of its wholly owned subsidiary, Real Hemp LLC and for the past 8 months the Company and its representatives have assessed the growing cannabis-related marketplace to determine what the Company believes will be the most successful products while encompassing its founding principles of a healthy lifestyle. Unique brand management, innovative marketing techniques and a successful strategy to develop and own intellectual property will be key constituents which we believe will provide advantages over the competition.
George Blankenbaker, Stevia Corp President, comments, "Real Hemp is very focused on developing and commercializing cannabidiol (CBD) intellectual property and products which we believe will provide high margin revenues and be a major contributor to bottom line growth in 2015."
The Company will also continue working with its aquaculture advisor, Andrew Kaelin and AIS Aqua Foods to further develop supply relationships with the Darden family of restaurants and Red Lobster. In line with this effort, the company continues to work on its expansion plans into South America and expects to establish shrimp and possibly fish production in Colombia in 2015 to serve both the US and European markets.
George Blankenbaker adds, "With several initiatives in motion, the company looks forward to providing more frequent updates with more detailed information in each area to keep our stockholders informed of progress."
Further details of the Company's business, finances, appointments and agreements can be found as part of the Company's continuous public disclosure as a reporting issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") EDGAR database. For more information visit: http://www.steviacorp.com.
About Stevia Corp. (OTCQB: STEV)
Stevia Corp. is a farm management company focused on developing highly nutritional, high value products through proprietary plant breeding, excellent agricultural methodologies and innovative post-harvest techniques. Stevia Corp invests in R&D and IP acquisition and manages its own propagation, nursery and plantations as well as provides services to contract growers and other industry growers. Stevia Corp was founded on the principal of implementing socially responsible, sustainable, quality agribusiness solutions to maximize the long-term efficient production of nutritional crops. For additional information please visit: http://www.steviacorp.com.
About the Hemp Industry Sector
Hemp is a crop that can be grown for food and non-food purposes. As a result of its numerous nutritional benefits, many new food products containing hemp seed and its oil are finding their way into the marketplace, including pasta, tortilla chips, salad dressings, snack products and frozen desserts. Non-dairy hemp "milk" beverages, which provide significant amounts of omega 3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) and protein, are also available. Hemp oil is also used in nutraceuticals, health care and body care products, as well as commercial sealants and paints.
As a fiber source, hemp is undergoing rapid growth as a natural fiber in everything from clothing and textiles to automotive composites and building materials.
The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) estimated that the 2013 retail sales value of hemp food and body care products in the United States was $184 million. When clothing, paper, auto parts, building materials and various other products are included, the HIA estimates that the total retail value of hemp products sold in the US in 2013 to be at least $581 million.
Seed and fiber uses for industrial hemp are growing rapidly and have increased over 300 percent, serving more than 50,000 products, in the past few years. Much of that growth is coming from the increased sales of hemp food products.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the success of the 2015 spring harvest, potentially significant revenue and growth in 2015 generated from Real Hemp LLC's products, development of supply relationships with Darden family of restaurants and Red Lobster, establishment of shrimp and possibly fish production in South American in 2015, growth of hemp products, product development and business strategy. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.