RNS Number:5210J
Kerry Group PLC
02 April 2003

Press Announcement

2 April 2003
                            For immediate release

                  Kerry Group acquires U.S. based Guernsey Bel
                       and Pacific Seasonings businesses

Kerry, the global ingredients, flavours and consumer foods group, today
announced the acquisition of two U.S. based food ingredients businesses,
Guernsey Bel - a leading manufacturer of inclusions for frozen desserts and
other growth areas in the sweet products sector, and Pacific Seasonings - a
leading manufacturer of meat seasonings to the meat, prepared foods and
foodservice industries.  The businesses were acquired for a total consideration
of US$67m.

Guernsey Bel operates from two modern manufacturing facilities located in
Chicago and in Hayward, California and is a leading innovator and provider of
value-added ingredients and inclusions technology for the premium ice-cream,
breakfast cereal, bakery, nutritional bar and confectionery industries.
Commenting on the acquisition of Guernsey Bel, Hugh Friel, Managing Director of
Kerry Group, said that since 2000 Kerry has established an industry leading
sweet ingredients business through its customised confectionery products and
specialist extrusion technologies.  "The acquisition of Guernsey Bel further
extends our technological and customer base in this dynamic sector and
significantly expands our market presence through the provision of indulgence
and texture components in particular for frozen dessert and premium ice-cream
applications.

Pacific Seasonings is a leading manufacturer of seasonings and spices for the
meat, prepared foods and snack food industries.  The business, operating from
two manufacturing plants in Seattle and Detroit, services the requirements of
food processors and foodservice providers and has developed a strong market
presence through national restaurant chains in the USA.  Hugh Friel commented, "
the business will assist the further development of Kerry's seasonings business
in North America and in particular through

its West Coast location will provide a major boost to Kerry's business in that
region of the U.S. market".  "In addition the Seattle based operation is organic
certified which is ideally positioned for growth in the world's largest market
for organic products" Mr. Friel added.

Note for Editors:

Since year-end 2002, Kerry Group has also completed the acquisition of SunPure,
a leading manufacturer of natural citrus flavours and ingredients.  Located at
the centre of the North American citrus industry in Lakeland, Florida, SunPure
is also a significant producer of apple essence and beverage flavours and bases.
The business, acquired for a total consideration of US$68m, operates from
state of the art manufacturing facilities servicing the requirements of a strong
customer base in the USA and Japan - including leading flavour houses, branded
beverage companies and private label beverage producers.  The company has a
strong growth record, capitalising on the growth of citrus flavour usage and
beverage flavours.  Flavoured beverage markets have exhibited strong growth in
recent years, fuelled by consumer interest in natural, ethnic and healthier
beverage options with more pronounced flavour levels.

In combining SunPure with the Group's existing flavour businesses and
technologies, Mastertaste, Kerry's global flavour division, will focus on the
significant growth opportunities in wider flavour and beverage growth markets
across Europe, Latin America and Asia, as well as its established markets in the
U.S. and Japan.

                                    - ends -


For further information please contact:       Telephone: + 353 66 7182304
Frank Hayes,                                  Fax: + 353 66 7182972
Director Corporate Affairs,                   email: corpaffairs@kerry.ie
Kerry Group plc.                              Website: www.kerrygroup.com



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