Trading Statement

RNS Number:7471P
Robert Wiseman Dairies PLC
15 September 2003



15 September 2003


                           ROBERT WISEMAN DAIRIES PLC

                            PRE CLOSE TRADING UPDATE


In accordance with its usual practice, Robert Wiseman Dairies will meet a group
of analysts today ahead of its half year-end on 27 September 2003. At this
meeting Group Finance Director, Billy Keane, will give the following update on
current trading:

"The Company's sales volumes and turnover for the half-year ending 27 September
2003 are in line with forecasts and the Company remains confident it will
deliver satisfactory results for the full year.

The #7.2 million expansion of our Droitwich Spa facility will complete on
schedule in October 2003, increasing capacity from 350 to 500 million litres per
annum. This will give the Company a platform from which it can continue to grow.
We are confident this capacity will be successfully utilised by a combination of
anticipated market growth, as the doorstep market continues to decline with a
corresponding increase in the multiple retailer sector, and new store
allocations from our customers.

The new contracts with Tesco and J Sainsbury, which commenced in April, have
started positively. In addition, new business with Somerfield and Iceland/Booker
also started as planned during the last few months.

Bulk cream selling prices remain firm and are well ahead of the same period last
year. A generic advertising campaign to help boost liquid milk consumption in
Scotland is now underway, based on the excellent campaign run in the USA and
involves artists such as Atomic Kitten and Big Brother winner, Cameron.

We remain optimistic that milk prices will continue their steady recovery and we
were delighted to be able to further increase the price paid to our milk
suppliers on 1 July, maintaining our place as the top paying major dairy
company. We will review our price again on 1 October in the light of market
conditions, but are hopeful there will be a further rise in price to our milk
suppliers.

We await, with interest, the outcome of Competition Commission Inquiries into
both the proposed takeover of Express Dairies by Arla Foods and the possible
acquisition of Safeway by one or other of the interested parties. We are
confident that, whatever the outcome of these Inquiries, we are well placed to
take advantage of any opportunities that may arise."

The Company's interim results will be announced on Tuesday, 2 December 2003.

                                 Ends


For further information please contact:

Weber Shandwick Square Mile
Peter Corbin                         Tel: [phone]

Hatch Group
Graeme Jack                          Tel: [phone]




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