Thank you, and good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We welcome all of you to our conference call. The underlying presentation for the call has been published this morning at 7:30 A.M. CET on our homepage. Today, we release the statement for the first 6 months of financial year 2022/2023. We're going to present the highlights of this period and revisit our full year group guidance for business year 2022/2023 that has been raised on 11th of August. Following the call, we're going to answer your questions. A recording of this call will be available on our homepage shortly after the call. Now, let me hand over to Südzucker's CFO, Thomas Kölbl. Thank you, Nikolai. Ladies and gentlemen, also a warm welcome from my side to all of you. Next, I would like to give you a brief overview about the business performance in the first 6 months of financial year 2022/2023, and details about the guidance for full financial year 2022/ 20 23. Let me start with the highlights of the first 6 months results on page four. First of all, let me point out that we are still facing challenges and uncertainties linked to the Ukraine war that started end of February. This war will certainly impact all the rest of the fiscal year in many ways. Despite these challenges, we have seen a very good H1 performance on group level. Group revenue showed an increase of EUR 1 billion or 29%. EBITDA was up by EUR 187 to EUR 465 million, and group operating result by EUR 182 to EUR 316 million. Cash flow increased by 60% in H1 and reached EUR 362 million. Earnings per share after 6 months came in at EUR 0.62 against EUR 0.24 last year. Net financial debt end of August 2022 came in EUR 237 million above prior year's level and EUR 99 million higher against end of business year 2021/22. Now, let's have a first look into the segmental performance on page five before we get into more detail segment by segment. Group revenues increased significantly by EUR 1 billion. All segments contributed to this increase. Group operating result increased by EUR 182 million. This increase was driven by the segments CropEnergies, Starch, and Sugar. Let's continue with segment Sugar on page seven. First of all, let us revisit our view on the global sugar market. In its latest update in August 2022, IHS Markit has increased its deficit outlook for sugar marketing year 2021/2022 to 2.1 million tons, which confirms another deficit year. Stock-to-use ratio decreased from 39% to 37%. For the current sugar marketing year 20 22/ 20 23, the forecast shows a surplus of 2.9 million tons, with only a small impact on the stock-to-use ratio that stays on the modest level at 38%. This confirms a stable fundamental global market environment for the next 12 months. Let's have a look at the European sugar market environment on page eight. The EU market has changed to a net importer since campaign 2018, which has led already to three steps of price increases in the last three sugar marketing years. Looking at the significant further price increase on the spot market in the last 6 months, we monitor several reasons. First, the world market price as the fundamental pricing starting point has increased. Second, another year of decreasing EU acreage officially confirm, combined with weather-driven beet yields, leading to reduced output. Third, overall cost inflation leads to higher procurement price for the whole industry and alongside the whole value chain. In this environment, close to 100% of our volume of the campaign 2022 were up for negotiation. As a result of the persistent widespread drought in almost all of Europe, below average beet yields are expected. However, the above average sugar content due to the many hours of sunshine cannot compensate for this. Expect a campaign length of about 100 days against 124 days last campaign. The resulting overall sugar output from beet is expected at 3.4 million tons against 4.2 million tons 1 year ago. As of now, we have signed about 85% of the expected volumes of the 2022 campaign to an average price increase against last year of about EUR 300 a ton. This means more than EUR 100 a ton average increase on fiscal year basis 2022/2023. This exceeds our original target of spring and our elevated target back in quarter one. Why didn't we increase our operating result target 2022/2023 for sugar in this slide? On the one hand, the cost environment has worsened further and campaign costs are not yet clear, but are most likely burdened by an increase in idle costs and respective lower revenue and profit contribution due to lower production volumes. Now let's have a look into the concrete development in segment Sugar in the first 6 months on page nine. Revenues in the Sugar segment increased significantly, mainly due to higher sales revenues and overall higher sales volumes. Operating results shows a positive number, reflecting improvement of by EUR 34 million against last year. It was burdened by a substantial rise in raw material, energy, and packaging costs, as well as idle costs in quarter two for campaign 2020. Let me continue with segment Special Products on page 10. The first 6 months revenues in the Special Products segment increased significantly due to overall positive development in sales volumes and higher prices. The operating result decline intensified in quarter two. The main drivers were burdens from significantly higher raw material, packaging, and energy costs, which could only be passed on to customers in part or with a time lag. Let me now turn to segment CropEnergies on page 11. Revenues in segment CropEnergies in the first 6 months were up sharply. Higher sales volumes and in particular higher sales revenues contributed to this revenue growth. Operating results developed in line with the development of sales revenues and sales volumes. Significantly higher sales revenues more than compensated for the considerable increase in raw material and energy costs. In addition to the favorable ethanol quotations, price hedges for raw materials and energies, which had already been concluded before the start of the Ukraine war, and the associated sharp rise in prices for raw material and energies were decisive for the extraordinarily good operating result. Average ethanol price in the second quarter was at EUR 1,167 against EUR 656 per cu m in quarter two 2021/2022. The average ethanol price in September was EUR 997 against EUR 793 per cu m in September 2021. In October, we see so far still a strong decrease to levels of about EUR 850 per cu m. Let's move on to the segment Starch on page 12. Revenues in segment Starch came in significantly above previous year's level due to significantly higher sales revenues. In line with the development of revenues, operating results after 6 months increased significantly too. Substantially higher raw material and energy costs were more than offset by significant sales revenue growth. Let's move on to segment Food on page 13. Revenues in segment Food were no exception to the general positive development of revenues, showing a significant increase too, which was price-related for both divisions. Operating results came in moderately above last year's level, though quarter two has seen a significantly lower operating result. Food preparations earnings were down due to lower sales volumes and higher costs, whereas concentrates significantly increased sales volumes and significantly higher sales revenues more than offset higher costs. Let me now turn to the main points in the P&L on pages 15 and 16. The result from restructuring and special items was mainly attributable to the Food segment totaling EUR -49 million, mainly due to the impairment of goodwill and property, plant, and equipment. The impairment test of goodwill was significantly influenced by the ongoing war in Ukraine and the sharp rise in the cost of capital. The equity result was almost exclusively driven by segment Sugar and Starch. In the first quarter of the current 2022/ 20 23 business year, ED&F Man has been listed as other investments as the criteria for at-equity valuation are no longer met. This discontinuation of at-equity consolidation led already in quarter one to a realization through profit or loss of the translation gains previously recognized directly in equity in the amount of approximately EUR 10 million. In addition, the positive earnings development resulted from significantly higher sugar revenues in the Sucden joint venture in Eastern Europe. The financial result came in at EUR -22 million, contains the net interest expense of EUR -16 million, and the other financial result of EUR -6 million. Continue on page 16. Taxes and income came in at EUR 69 million after EUR 28 million in the same period last year. Earnings per share came in at EUR 0.62 against EUR 0.24 in the prior year. Let's now turn to the cash flow, working capital, and investment development on page 18. Cash flow increased in the first 6 months by EUR 135 million to EUR 362 million. The cash flow against revenues ratio improved in H1 further to 7.8% against 6.3% in H1 2021/2022. The cash outflow from the increase in working capital of EUR -93 million resulted mainly from the turnover related increase in trade receivables and the reduction in trade payables. Investments in fixed assets reached EUR 157 million against EUR 124 million in the last year. Investments in financial assets and acquisition represent mainly the announced acquisition of Meatless and Orange Nutritionals Group, both in the Netherlands, in the total amount of EUR 56 million. Let me move now forward looking at the balance sheet on page 20. The balance sheet shows a very solid picture. Equity ratio is, despite the higher total assets, at 50% against 46% in the prior year. Let's move on to the net financial debt development. The cash inflow from operating activities of EUR 268 million includes the cash flow of EUR 362 million and an increase in working capital with a cash outflow of EUR -93 million. The financing of investments in fixed and financial assets totaling EUR 230 million and profit distribution of EUR 131 million led to an increase in net financial debt by around EUR 100 million from EUR 1.46 billion end of February 2022 to EUR 1.56 billion end of August 2022, or EUR 237 million compared to end of August 2021. Gearing is at 37% against 38% 1 year ago. Let me now turn to the outlook 2022/ 2023 on pages 22 to 25. After continued good performance, we have adjusted once more our full-year forecast upwards on August 11th. Ladies and gentlemen, let me put this increased forecast in the context of the current environment. The war in Ukraine, which has continued from the beginning of fiscal year 2022/2023 to the present day, has further intensified the already high volatility on the sales market and the price increase on the procurement market. The resulting economic and financial impact and the duration of this temporary exceptional situation remains difficult to assess. In addition, there are still risks in connection with the corona pandemic. Therefore, the forecast continues to be based on the assumptions that the war in Ukraine will remain temporary and regionally limited. That despite the current development, the physical supply of energy and raw material is assured. We also assume that no significant burdens will arise from energy surcharges following the elimination of the gas surcharge in Germany. Expected pass-through of substantially higher prices, especially in the raw materials and energy sectors into new customer contracts, will continue to be of decisive importance. Having said that, now to the concrete numbers on page 23. Following the group earnings increase in August and further adjustments on segmental level in the H1 report, now the forecast is as follows: Group revenues should come in at EUR 9.4 billion-EUR 9.8 billion and group operating result in a range between EUR 450 million and EUR 550 million. Sugar segment should see an increase in operating result in H2. On full-year basis, we expect an earnings range between EUR 0 and EUR 100 million. Special Products segment operating result is expected to come in moderately below the prior year level. CropEnergies segment operating result is expected to range between EUR 215 million and EUR 265 million. Starch segment should see a stable operating result, and Food segment expects significantly lower earnings. Let me continue with page 24. With EBITDA range of EUR 810 million-EUR 910 million should follow the positive operating result development. CapEx is expected to increase. Net financial debt is expected to be above prior year's level, reflecting higher working capital needs in light of the inflationary environment and higher investments in fixed assets and financial assets. Finally, I would like to summarize our presentation with three statements on page 26. First, the sugar turnaround is due to continued driving group earnings improvement besides the outstanding strong CropEnergies performance. Second, our diversified portfolio will be able to help managing the additional challenges caused by the Ukraine war. Third, structural cash flow opens up new opportunities to shape Südzucker's future. Thank you all for your attention. Ladies and gentlemen, let me hand back to the operator to start the Q&A session. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, we'll begin the question and answer session. Anyone who wishes to ask a question may press star followed by one on their touch tone telephone. If you wish to remove yourself from the question queue, you may press star followed by two. If you're using speaker equipment today, please lift the handset before making your selections. Anyone who has a question may press star followed by one at this time. One moment for the first question, please. First question is from the line of Oliver Schwarz from Warburg Research. Please go ahead. Good morning, gentlemen. Thank you for taking my questions. Congrats to the Q2 results. Firstly, looking at the guidance for the Starch division, it seems like you are aiming for a result on the level of 2021/ 2022, which was EUR 57 million at year-end. Now, after 6 months, we already have EUR 50, or you do have EUR 50 million in the bag. If I'm not mistaken, that leaves only EUR 7 million for the second half year. I imagine that Starch results are, let's say, in the first half of 2022/2023 were significantly helped by the good performance of the bioethanol activities that are included in this segment, which is at least according to CropEnergies guidance to go down significantly in the second half year. Is there also another effect that directly affects the starch business as such and not the Starch segment, so without the bioethanol activities? That would be my first question. I have two other ones, but I like to take them one by one, if you don't mind. Yeah, Oliver, I think you mentioned all the points which are, let me say, affecting the H2 performance of the starch sector, so there are no additional hidden points or something else. We clearly anticipate significantly higher prices. It will be enough to offset these higher raw material and energy costs and therefore, operating results could come in on previous year's level on a full year basis. Similar, as you mentioned to CropEnergies, the first half year was supported by a positive impact from the hedging positions and high ethanol prices. You can follow the ethanol price development over the last weeks. They have declined and therefore, the profit from ethanol business in H2 will be substantially below H1. All right. Thank you for that. Second question is to specialties. Obviously, results in Q2 were significantly down year-on-year. According to the half year report, that was mostly due to a time lag in passing on raw material costs to customers. Can you confirm that specialties was able by the end of the quarter to pass on those required price increases to cover higher costs completely? Or is there still some way to go? This is, Oliver, a good question. This is a very volatile environment in which we work, and over the last 6-7 months, we have seen only one direction for our input costs. They were going up. Clearly we are on a good way to forward this higher cost basis and sales prices increase. We do not at current state expect to be able to offset this steadily increasing jump through higher prices, and that we have a delay, let me say, to pass that in time. You think you can pass them on completely? I mean, once we run into a situation with more, let's say, a stable progression of the underlying variable costs. Would that be a fair assumption? Yes, absolutely. Okay, cool. Another one on the segments. Obviously, the turnaround in sugar has continued. Can you elaborate on the price levels, or at least give us an indication of what is to come in the new annual sugar price contracts from 1st of October onwards? Can you elaborate on the contracted volumes due to the fact that you stated in the half-year report that you're expecting a below-average campaign in 2022/2023, how that all pans out, so that we get a better grasp on the Sugar segment, please? Yeah. As said in our presentation and in my comments earlier, the campaign is still running. At the current knowledge, we expect an overall output from beets of around 3.4 million tons. That would be down by 800,000 tons against last year, where we produced 4.2 million tons. With this expectation, currently we can say that we have signed 85% of these expected volumes for the campaign 2022. The average pricing is against last year, around EUR 300 a ton higher. Yeah. Mm-hmm. That means more than EUR 100 /ton average increase on fiscal year basis 2022/2023. Okay. Understood. Very well. Thank you so much. Perhaps the last one, the hybrid bond. Obviously in the past that was a very attractive way of financing Südzucker's capital needs. However, with the steep increase in the Euribor and we are moving very fast into, let's say, an environment with higher interest rates, is there any, let's say, plans or ideas what to do with the hybrid bond as it's getting more expensive by the quarter? Oliver, the hybrid bond is still a very important part of our financing structure and also in the current framework, it's a very attractive equity instrument. Okay, understood. Thank you so much. That was all from my side. Next question is from the line of Michael Schaefer from ODDO BHF. Please go ahead. Yeah, good morning, everyone. Thanks for taking my questions. I'll also raise them one by one. Well, the first one is on your output projection. I mean, if I recall this correctly, I've probably never seen a 3.4 million ton output at Südzucker. Anyway, you suggested basically that the 100-day campaign, I mean, that's also probably a record low. So could you help us understand what this is doing effectively to the overall fixed cost absorption? What's the kind of underlying cost increase, unit cost increase you are then figuring out? As we are talking about costs, I recall the last conference call on Q1 we discussed obviously at length the gas cost issue on your side as well. Any kind of update there? Last time we talked, there was something like a 70% hedge still in place. I think this is gradually expiring. What's the kind of gas cost inflation outlook we should think of primarily heading into next year's campaign? Then maybe linked to this, on next year's fiscal year, and then linked to the cost side as well, while we hear about cost inflation and price inflation all over the place, obviously you managed to increase beet prices or sugar prices by EUR 300 as you elaborated on. However, this doesn't mean that this is filtering through the P&L on the bottom line for you. I wonder how are you dealing with farmers these days given the inflationary environment? Because it looks to me, you know, since your beet price formula was pretty much linked to the sugar price, so is there a risk basically that you again are paying a higher share here to the beet farmers while you're getting the cost hit solely on your side? This would be any kind of clarification would be helpful. Thank you. Michael, a lot of questions, and deep questions from conference call. I will then answer one by one. Clearly, we have an extreme drought over Europe. That is the reason why we fell down or expect to fall down dramatically in the actual output to this 3.4 million tons. This is fact. Fixed costs, we discussed, will be stable, but we have to book, as mentioned, idle costs, therefore, in the current fiscal 2022/2023, and this is one point why we have a slightly weaker performance in Q2 isolated in the Sugar segment. To the hedging persistence in energy as mentioned also in the last calls, we are in our main and core business, sugar, have also good hedging position for the next campaign 2023 around 65%-70% more or less on a pricing level like in the last campaign. Clearly there are open positions also depending then on the final campaign outcome, and we worked hard to be more flexible also going forward in the next campaign to use also other more sources in, for example, heavy fuel, etc. We work very hard on that topic to regain more flexibility and to look maybe also if enough time there, maybe windows of opportunities to increase the hedging position. The last point you asked is the beet pricing. Clearly we have this sugar base price-linked beet formula. This is positive in that environment. Sugar sales prices, as mentioned, are going up. With the current knowledge we have, we foresee no further over this formula, a strong increase in formula beet price, with the current knowledge, no further, let me say, premiums above the formula price. Okay. Thank you. My second, yeah, or let's say fourth question probably would be on what you have stated, and there was a press release a couple of weeks ago that the cartel authorities allowed basically sugar producers to collaborate when it comes to production of sugar. Can you just talk us through what we should make out of that? How does this help you? Because as you elaborated on, it's probably not lifting the utilization of your plant. What's the kind of financial benefit for you from that one? Or are you affected by that at all? It's a good point. It's first of all a very positive decision, a positive announcement, but for the current campaign, 2022, we do not use this instrument. Okay. Thank you very much. There are no further questions at this time, and I would like to hand back to Nikolai for closing comments. Please go ahead. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you all for participating today. As you all know, if you have additional questions, just don't hesitate calling me. Thanks. Bye-bye.