Trading Statement

Associated British Foods PLC
08 September 2003

8 September 2003

                          Associated British Foods plc

                        Pre Close Period Trading Update

Associated British Foods plc issues the following update prior to entering its
close period for its full year results to 13 September 2003, which are scheduled
to be announced on 4 November 2003.

At the time of the announcement of the interim financial results in April, the
Chairman stated that we expected significant operating profit growth in the
second half of the year although it was unlikely to be as strong as in the first
half.  Most of our businesses have made good progress and we now expect
operating profit growth to be broadly the same as the first half. The underlying
tax rate in the full year is in line with expectations and will be higher than
last year.

British Sugar in the UK had a good campaign and its profit benefited in the
second half from the effect of the strength of the euro on sugar prices.  In
China and Poland, however, sugar prices have continued to fall and will result
in a lower than expected contribution from British Sugar Overseas.

Significant progress has been made at George Weston Foods in Australia.
Underlying trading has strengthened with lower overheads and improved operating
performances from the milling & baking and meat & dairy businesses.  In biscuit
& cake, the Sydney factory has been sold, the cake business has been reorganised
and integrated with baking and the sale of the main biscuit brands has been
agreed subject to formal regulatory approval.

Mazola was successfully integrated by ACH in the US in the first half and has
performed as anticipated in the second half.  The branded foodservice business,
acquired in January 2001, traded ahead of last year.  The integration of
Ovaltine with our existing international Twinings business has progressed very
well and the profit from Ovaltine has been in line with expectations with a
continuing good performance from the Asian markets.

At Primark, like-for-like sales growth in the second half of the year has been
broadly similar to the first half.  Two new stores have been opened this year
and the refit and extension of a further three existing stores was completed
during the year. The total number of stores is now 116 with 2.1 million sq ft of
retail selling space.

Investment income will be lower than last year as a result of lower interest
rates.



For further enquiries please contact:

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

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


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