Acquisition

Kerry Group PLC
08 August 2005



                                News Release


8 August 2005
                             For immediate release



Kerry Foods extends market leadership in premium sector of UK chilled ready
meals category through Stg£124m acquisition of Noon Group Ltd



Kerry, the global food ingredients, flavours and consumer foods group, today
announced a major expansion of its chilled ready meals business in the UK
through the acquisition of Noon Group Limited ('NOON').



Noon is market leader in the development and production of authentic Asian
chilled ready meals in the UK.  Operating from three modern production
facilities located in the Great Western Industrial Estate in south-west London,
the acquired business produces a range of premium quality Indian, Oriental, Thai
and other Asian and international cuisine ready meals, snacks and
accompaniments, principally for major UK multiple retailers.   The total
consideration for the acquisition is Stg£124m financed through existing lines of
credit with Group banks.



Complementing Kerry Foods' existing chilled ready meals businesses, Noon has
well established relationships with leading UK multiple retail groups and an
excellent reputation for quality, authenticity and innovation in the ethnic
sub-category of the fast growing premium sector of the UK chilled ready meals
market.



Commenting on the acquisition, Hugh Friel, Kerry Group Chief Executive said, 
'The acquisition of Noon significantly advances Kerry Foods position and market
leadership in the premium segment of the UK chilled recipe meals sector.  Noon's
capability to produce a broad range of high quality, authentic cuisine types
entirely from natural ingredients at such scale is testament to the strengths
and potential of this business'.



'The UK chilled ready meals market valued at Stg£1.4 billion continues to
exhibit annual growth rates of 5% to 7% per annum.  In particular the premium
sub category of this dynamic UK market sector is achieving high double digit
growth rates in response to strongly favourable consumer trends towards
increased convenience, premium quality products and new taste experiences,' Mr
Friel added.




                                    - ends -



For further information please contact:
Frank Hayes
Director of Corporate Affairs                  Tel no [phone]
                                               Fax no [phone]
Kerry Web Site:                                www.kerrygroup.com


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange