RiceBran Technologies Hires Former Bunge Executive

SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwired - Apr 17, 2013) - RiceBran Technologies ( OTCQB : RIBT ), a global leader in the production and marketing of value added products derived from sustainable rice bran welcomes Mr. João Eduardo Luz de Almeida as President of Irgovel, its rice bran bio-refining subsidiary located in Pelotas, Brazil.

Mr. Almeida brings nearly 30 years experience in agribusiness and food ingredients, having spent the past 24 years in senior positions at Bunge, a leading global agribusiness and food company. 

In his most recent position as Director of Special Projects he oversaw the launch of a new biodiesel business in Brazil. In his previous positions at Bunge, Brazil he served as Director of Ingredients, Director of Agrisolutions, and Business Relations Manager.

Mr. Luz de Almeida was also Global Director of Food Products at Bunge's headquarters in White Plains, New York where he was responsible for developing strategies for all food businesses for Bunge. In addition, during his career at Bunge he worked on the acquisition and integration of edible oil businesses in India and Russia.

"We are excited to have João Eduardo join our team as President of Irgovel," commented Mr. W. John Short, CEO & President of RiceBran Technologies . "His proven leadership skills, extensive industry and market knowledge, and his hands-on experience in soybean oil and soy protein manufacturing, coupled with his intimate knowledge of wholesale and retail markets for animal nutrition, human food ingredient and retail sales of edible oil, will build on our solid foundation in agribusiness and food ingredients to help fully develop Irgovel's potential."

Mr. Luz de Almeida received his B.A. in Chemical Engineering and a Post Graduate Degree in Marketing from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He also earned an MBA at Fundação Dom Cabral, Brazil and attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.

Irgovel's former President, Mr. Alberto Brunelli, resigned his position effective March 31, 2013 after nearly 5 years with company. Mr. Short commented, "We appreciate Alberto's service to Irgovel during his time as President and wish him the best in his future endeavors."

About RiceBran Technologies RiceBran Technologies is a human food ingredient and animal nutrition company focused on the procurement, bio-refining and marketing of numerous products derived from rice bran. RiceBran Technologies has proprietary and patented intellectual property that allows us to convert rice bran, one of the world's most underutilized food sources, into a number of highly nutritious human food ingredient and animal nutrition products. Our target markets are human food ingredients and animal nutrition manufacturers and retailers, as well as natural food, functional food and nutraceutical supplement manufacturers and retailers, both domestically and internationally. More information can be found in the Company's filings with the SEC and by visiting our website at www.ricebrantechnologies.com .