Trading Statement

Cropper(James) PLC
30 October 2003

                                                     
Issued by Citigate Dewe Rogerson Ltd, Birmingham
Date: Thursday, 30 October 2003

                                                               Embargoed: 7.30am

                               James Cropper PLC
                               Trading Statement

James Cropper PLC will be announcing its Interim Results for the six months to
27 September 2003 on Tuesday 18 November.

The Paper Division has continued to experience in the second quarter of the
current financial year the adverse trading conditions as highlighted both in the
AGM Statement of 7 August 2003 and the Preliminary Results announcement of 17
June 2003. This will mean the Division reporting a small operating loss for the
first half-year. Consequently profit before taxation for the Group in the six
months to 27 September 2003 will not exceed £0.100 million.

The Paper Division's difficulties arise from the subdued economic activity in
export markets, margin pressures and from the higher cost of pulp.  Despite the
current situation, the Board believes that considerable expansion opportunities
exist for the Paper Division in the UK and certain of its export markets.  These
are presently being vigorously pursued but are unlikely to have a major impact
in the current financial year.  The cost of pulp weakened from its first quarter
peak of US$560 per tonne to US$520 per tonne and then contrary to expectations
it started to climb back towards the previous level in the latter part of the
second quarter, where it is now expected to remain for the rest of the financial
year.

Following the AGM statement on 7 August the weak US$ continues to have an
adverse affect on the US sales margins of the Converting and the Technical Fibre
Products Divisions.  However, as previously indicated Technical Fibre Products
is trading at a similar level to last year.

Therefore given the performance in the first half-year and the implications for
the remainder of the financial year, Group results for the full year to end of
March 2004 will be significantly below current market expectations.

In the absence of unforeseen circumstances it is the Board's intention to
maintain the level of the full year dividend reflecting both the confidence we
have in the future prospects of the Group and the strength of the balance sheet.

As already stated the Group will be will be announcing their Interim Results for
the 26 weeks ended 27 September 2003 on Tuesday, 18 November 2003.  An analysts'
presentation will be held on the day at Citigate Dewe Rogerson, 26 Finsbury
Square, London, EC2A 1DS.  Anyone wishing to attend should contact Alan Cooke.


Enquiries:
Alun Lewis, Chief Executive
John Denman, Group Finance Director              Alan Cooke
James Cropper PLC                                Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: [phone]                                Tel: [phone]
                                                 Mobile: [phone]



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