Abstract: A process for the preparation of lactates by fermentation of mixtures containing sugars, conversion of the lactic acid obtained during fermentation to its salts, followed by esterification, in whicha) there is added to the fermentation liquor an alkaline earth metal carbonate or bicarbonate so as to neutralize the resultant lactic acid to a degree of at least 90 mol %,b) the resulting fermentation liquor is adjusted to pH 7 to 13 by the addition of NH.sub.3 and CO.sub.2 and the resultant precipitates are separated, andc) the resulting, purified ammonium lactate solution is esterified with an alcohol.