Trading Statement

Associated British Foods PLC
27 February 2002


27 February 2002

                          Associated British Foods plc

                        Pre Close Period Trading Update

In line with current market practice, Associated British Foods plc issues the
following update prior to entering its close period for its interim results to
2nd March 2002, which are scheduled to be announced on 17th April 2002.

Our overall trading experience to date has not altered since the Chairman's
statement at the Annual General Meeting on 7th December 2001 when he said that
we had budgeted for a further increase in operating profit and that, even after
a reduction in investment income as a result of lower interest rates, we planned
to deliver a further growth in earnings. Furthermore, trading remains in line
with our expectations at the beginning of the financial year.

As expected, British Sugar has benefited from lower costs arising from the
rationalisation of its factories and high extraction rates for sugar. The crop
is anticipated to be 1.21m tonnes, down from 1.325m tonnes last year.

Trading at George Weston Foods in Australia will show a lower profit compared to
the same period last year for the first half. An announcement was made to the
Sydney Stock Exchange in December stating that profit after tax for the first
half will likely be A$3.5-4.5m lower than last year.

ACH in the US has benefited from the inclusion of the branded foodservice
business acquired from Procter & Gamble in January 2001.

At Primark, sales and profit reflect the increase in retail selling floor space,
particularly after the large number of stores that opened during the second half
of the last financial year. Three new stores have been opened this year, taking
the total to 111 stores with 1.9m sq ft of retail selling space.

Acquisitions completed since the last financial year were the sugar mill at
Wuxuan in China, the SPP bakery ingredients business from Kerry and a milk shake
syrup business by Silver Spoon. The total cost was £28m.

For further enquiries please contact:
Associated British Foods                              Tel: [phone]
John Bason, Finance Director


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



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