Trading Statement

McBride PLC
26 June 2003

26 June 2003

Pre-close Trading Update

McBride plc herewith provides an update to current trading prior to entering its
Close Period.

Mike Handley, Chief Executive said:

'In our interim results, announced on 15 February 2003, we advised that trading
in the second half of the year was continuing the improvement seen in the first
half.  Since then, trading has strengthened further and trading profit, before
goodwill amortisation and the joint venture, is expected to be in excess of £30m
(2002 £26.1m) for the year ended 30 June 2003. This has resulted from improved
margins throughout the Group and sales growth in Continental Europe

Improved profitability combined with tight control of working capital and
capital expenditure is likely to result in net debt at 30 June 2003 of no
greater than £64m, (2002 £94.9m) despite the strengthening of the Euro against
Sterling.

We are also delighted that our UK operation was recently awarded the inaugural
Gold Award by the Grocer magazine for its Best Own Label Supplier to the UK
grocery trade.'

The Preliminary Results Announcement for the year ending 30 June 2003 will be
made on 11 September 2003.

For further information please contact:

Andrew Dowler                                        020 7831 3113
Financial Dynamics




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