Acquisition

Associated British Foods PLC
27 May 2004

27 May 2004

ABF Acquires Billington's Sugar



Associated British Foods plc (ABF) the international food, ingredients and
retail group today announced that it has reached agreement on the acquisition of
The Billington Food Group (Billington's) , subject to regulatory approval.


Billington's is one of Europe's leading importers in the niche market for
traditional unrefined raw cane sugars for the retail and manufacturing markets.
It imports the sugars from Mauritius, Malawi and Barbados which are packed and
distributed from its facility in Ipswich. The value of net assets being acquired
is £7.7 million and Billington's had sales in the year ended 30 April 2003 of
£29.4 million.


John Bason, finance director of ABF said, 'This acquisition adds a full range
of unrefined raw cane sugars to complement our existing range of Silver Spoon
brand retail sugars.  Billington's is widely regarded as the leader in this
sector of the UK sugar market.'


Lloyd Whiteley, chairman of Edward Billington & Son said, 'We are delighted that
Billington's can take its place alongside ABF's other famous grocery brands and
see this as an excellent opportunity for developing the brand to its full
potential'


For further information, please contact;


Associated British Foods
John Bason, Finance Director                               Tel: [phone]

Geoff Lancaster, Head of External Affairs                  Tel: [phone]

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Jonathan Clare/Chris Barrie/Sara Batchelor                 Tel: [phone]


Notes to Editors


Associated British Foods


Associated British Foods is an international food, ingredients and retail group
with annual sales of £4.9 billion and 35,000 employees.  The Group is one of
Europe's largest food companies and has significant businesses in Australia,
China and the US.


ENDS.




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