Abstract: The present invention discloses a genetically engineered Kluyveromyces sp. yeast strain that is capable of producing lactic acid from carbon source selected from glucose, fructose, sucrose or a mixture thereof wherein the genetically engineered yeast comprises at least one heterologous DNA cassette that confers production of a protein functioning as a fructose importer. The genetically engineered yeast strain according to this invention has an improvement of fructose utilization and use fructose as a faster rate than conventional strain, allowing for shorter fermentation times and improved economics.