Trading Statement

Cranswick PLC
06 February 2004


Cranswick plc

Third quarter trading statement 2003/04

The performance of the business in the third quarter of the financial year was
in line with management's expectations. Overall group sales in the quarter
increased from £58.3m to £70.0m, of which £5.2m was attributable to The Sandwich
Factory, giving a like-for-like increase of 11%. In the core food business sales
on a similar basis grew by 12%, with particularly strong growth in fresh meat,
sausage and continental products. The sandwich business has had some success in
developing sales to replace the business lost in October.

In agribusiness total sales grew by 5% but, after adjusting for a much greater
proportion of internal sales than previously, external sales were 14% down. Pet
sales increased by 63% with particularly strong growth in both food and aquatic.

Construction of the new pet food facility at Driffield is well underway and work
on a new sausage factory in Hull will be commencing shortly. The timing of these
two projects will impact on the year-end borrowings figure. Both projects will
provide increased capacity and improved operating efficiencies and will be
completed during the next financial year.

Enquiries:

Martin Davey - Chief Executive ) 01377 270649

John Lindop - Finance Director ) 01377 270649


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