Trading Statement

Unilever PLC
27 January 2003

Release: Immediate

                       UNILEVER UPDATE TRADING STATEMENT

Unilever expects that underlying sales in its leading brands will have grown by
some 5.4% for the full year 2002. This is ahead of its previous guidance for the
year of between 4.5 - 5% given at the pre-close teleconference on Wednesday
December 18, 2002.

The growth reflects the strong innovation and market place activity programme
which Unilever said would be weighted towards the second half of the year. This
activity has been backed by a step-up in investment in its brands. Operating
margin (beia) for the full year is expected to be up by some 100 bps.

Its Path to Growth restructuring and Bestfoods integration programme have
continued to deliver savings in line with plan.

EPS (beia) for the year is expected to be up by some 20% at constant exchange
rates driven by the growth of the leading brands, savings from its Path to
Growth and Bestfoods restructuring programmes, lower interest and tax.

Unilever's preliminary year end results will be published on Thursday February
13, 2003.

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SAFE HARBOUR STATEMENT: This presentation may contain forward-looking statements
(within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995)
based on our best current information and what we believe to be reasonable
assumptions about anticipated developments. Words such as 'expects',
'anticipates', 'intends' and other similar expressions are intended to identify
such forward looking-statements. Because of the risks and uncertainties that
always exist in any operating environment or business we cannot give any
assurance that the expectations reflected in these statements will prove
correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially depending upon,
among other factors, currency values, competitive pricing, consumption levels,
costs, environmental risks, physical risks, risks related to the integration of
acquisitions, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments and political and
social conditions in the economies and environments where Unilever operates.
Further details of these potential risks and uncertainties are given in the
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts and Form 20-F. You are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

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January 27 2003


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