Stevia Corp. gains exclusive distribution rights to patented Micro Suspension Technology that produces premium MS fertilizers for use with stevia; deal is part of company's development agreement with Singapore-based Agro Genesis

Andrew Rogers

INDIANAPOLIS , October 25, 2011 (press release) – Stevia Corp., a farm management company focused on the economic development of Stevia, the fastest growing product in the alternative sweetener sector, is pleased to announce that as part of its previously announced agreement with Singapore based Agro Genesis Pte. Ltd., the Company has obtained exclusive distribution rights to Micro Suspension (MS) Technology* which produces premium MS fertilizers for use with stevia.

Micro Suspension (MS) Technology is a breakthrough, patented crop nutrient delivery system that delivers insoluble but highly bio-available minerals to crops. It optimizes absorption of nutrients and hence maximizes benefits to the plant. The process was conferred the competitive Technology Commercialization Award by the Singapore government in 2008.

MS Technology produces a unique range of breakthrough fertilizers aptly known as MS fertilizers that provide a cheaper, safer, better and sustainable solution to crop production. Benefits to crops include increased yield, increased starch and sugar content and improved root and shoot growth. Stevia Corp. is in final discussions with two major institutes in Vietnam to perform cooperative research on Stevia utilizing these new and innovative technologies.

Micro Suspension technology:

is considered a breakthrough in conventional plant nutrient technology;
is a crop nutrient system that delivers water-insoluble, but highly bio-available minerals to crops;
stays in soil -- doesn't wash out with rain -- only requires one application and therefore is less expensive;
uses abundant and renewable resources as starting material thus avoiding the critical resource supply problems facing the chemical fertilizer industry;
maximizes NUE (Nutrient Use Efficiency) by plants, resulting in optimal nutrient uptake thus maximizing benefits to plants;
maximizes plant yield and quality -- designed to increase early plant growth, tolerance against biotic and abiotic stress and quality of harvested leaves.

Mr. George Blankenbaker, Stevia Corp. President, states, "Our development agreement with Agro Genesis has provided us with extremely favorable access to new cultivation technologies which we have deemed as a key element of our overall strategy for growth. Increased crop productivity is an important goal that increases the probability of future commercial success. There are many other components to our strategic aims, but this exclusive distribution right sets the stage for our immediate development program and can greatly aid in positioning our company at the forefront of our sector."

About Stevia Corp. (OTCBB: STEV)

Stevia Corp. 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. In 2010, stevia products were launched across thirty-five countries and 38 categories. Within two years of the USA market opening, Nielsen-based retail consumption data indicated almost $1 billion of retail sales. Market research group, Mintel, has said it expects sales of stevia sweetened products to top $2 billion in 2011. 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.

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