French ingredients company and starch specialist Roquette is aiming for Russia’s growing food market with its opening of a new sales subsidiary in Moscow.

Although the company, which specialises in starch production, has been present in the country for over a decade, its sales activities had previously been represented by Rhodia.
Now that it has seen its turnover grow rapidly and is satisfied with its present level of business, it has decided to take over the Russian sales side of its business.
The move indicates the company has identified a market potential in Russia for starches, polyols, dextrose and protein, in line with other ingredients.
Roquette claims to be one of the world’s most advanced starch and starch derivatives business, and has created a Russian subsidiary called Roquette Rus on the back of current expansions it has witnessed in the Russian starch and derivatives market.
Roquette Rus sales manager Sergei Belov said overall sales grew by 40 per cent in 2007, and that the company expected sales to continue to increase in 2008, mainly because of more focus on its Russian venture.
As well as strengthening its position in the Russian market, where it sells the entire range of its ingredient products, Roquette hopes to help local customers more by anticipating and satisfying their requirements.
The company also said it hopes this business move will enable it to develop its business further in Russia and in the neighbouring countries that form the CIS (Community of Independent States).
Roquette transforms four key crops – maize, wheat, pea and potatoes – into one ranges of products for the food, pharmaceutical and industrial sectors. It has 6,000 employees worldwide.