Ebro Puleva Q1 core earnings up 20.9 pct

MADRID, April 29 (Reuters) - Spain's Ebro Puleva EVA.MC saw a 20.9 percent rise in first-quarter core earnings (EBITDA) on Wednesday to 68 million euros ($89.72 million), boosted by softer raw material prices compared with steep rises a year ago.

Net profit grew 11 percent to 32.6 million euros as strength from its core pasta and rice businesses offset the absence of its sugar division, which the company sold to Associated British Foods' (ABF.L) British Sugar in 2008.

Sales rose 4.2 percent to 575.2 million euros.

A Reuters survey of five analysts was forecasting net profit of 30.8 million euros on revenues of 572.6 million and EBITDA of 64.7 million. ($1=.7579 Euro) (Reporting by Paul Day; Writing by Tracy Rucinski)