Tongaat-Hulett sees H1 profit from ops up 44 pct

JOHANNESBURG, July 23 (Reuters) - South African sugar group Tongaat-Hulett (TONJ.J) said on Wednesday it expects its first-half profit from operations to increase by 44 percent to 443 million rand.

The group said the profit for the six months to end-June came from its sugar and starch operations, and its land and property development.

"Increased profit contributions came from the sugar operations in Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe," Tongaat said in a statement.

The firm said its South African operations were under increased pressure because of a small crop in 2007 and lower exports.

It will release its interim results on August 4. (Reporting by Serena Chaudhry)