031041 Maple Leaf Reports 2003 3Q Results

Toronto, ON Canada - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003.

Sales for the third quarter of $1.3 billion were consistent with the same period last year, while earnings from operations of $32.8 million before unusual items ($22.5 million after unusual items) decreased from $49.8 million last year. Earnings for the quarter were primarily affected by a continuation of low pork prices in the industry resulting from an oversupply of meat proteins in North America, coupled with a continued weaker Japanese pork market.

The Company recorded an unusual charge to earnings of $10.3 million before tax ($6.9 million net of tax) to account for several business restructuring initiatives, principally consolidation of the Company's feed mill operations in the Maritimes and reorganization of its Atlantic Canada meat processing operations.

Net earnings for the third quarter before unusual items were $7.2 million, or $0.05 per share compared to $0.16 per share last year. After accounting for unusual items, net earnings of $0.3 million (a loss of $0.01 per share) decreased from $19.3 million in 2002. Year to date earnings before unusual items were $18.5 million or $0.13 per share compared to $58.8 million or $0.49 per share last year.

On September 25th the Company announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Schneider Corporation. With annual sales of $1.2 billion, Schneiders is a brand leader in the Canadian premium quality packaged meats and grocery products market. The acquisition will balance Maple Leaf's strength in primary processing and more than double the size of the Company's processed meat operations. The transaction is expected to close in early 2004, subject to Canadian Competition Bureau approval.

"While we continued to feel the effects of one of the most difficult protein markets in recent history, strengthening pork prices and declining cold storage stocks indicate that the worst may finally be behind us," said Michael McCain, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our focus is on building long term value. In the quarter we undertook several key strategic initiatives, including increasing our ownership in the bakery business, supporting continued market leadership in our feed operations, and significantly increasing our processed meat business by arranging to acquire Schneiders. We are very confident about the future and the opportunities these and other initiatives will provide to increase shareholder value."

Other expenses for the third quarter of $1.1 million related primarily to incremental transaction and advisory costs related to the reorganization of the Bakery Group last year. Interest expense for the quarter of $17.4 million increased from $13.9 million for the prior year, due to higher interest rates and debt levels. Cash flow from operating activities for the third quarter of $22.2 million compared to $37.9 million last year, reflecting significantly reduced investments in working capital offset by lower earnings and related changes to future tax balances.

Capital expenditures of $35.4 million compared to $24.5 million last year, with the increase primarily due to an investment in another par-baked line at the Company's bakery in Roanoke, Virginia to meet the requirements of a new exclusive 10-year contract with a major North American foodservice chain.

In October the Company renegotiated its primary bank debt facility, a significant amount of which was due to mature in 2004. Principal changes include an increase in the facility from $519 million to $635 million, a revised maturity date of October 2005, and changes in interest rates.

On August 24, 2003, the Company purchased 903,100 common shares of Canada Bread for $26.50 per share pursuant to a private agreement, increasing Maple Leaf Foods' ownership of Canada Bread from 81.1% to 84.7%.

Meat Products Group (branded value-added prepared meat products; fresh, frozen and branded value- added pork products; fresh, frozen and branded value-added chicken and turkey products; and global food marketing, distribution and trading)

Meat Product Group sales for the third quarter declined to $701.6 million from $717.6 million last year, as increases in consumer foods, pork and poultry sales were offset by a reduction in the number of hogs processed and the closure last year of the beef kill operations in Atlantic Canada. Year-to-date sales of $2.1 billion compared to $2.2 billion last year. Losses from operations of $9.7 million (including a $1.3 million pension plan wind-up gain) compared to operating earnings of $11.9 million last year. Losses for the first nine months were $11.9 million (including a $9.5 million pre-tax pension gain) compared to operating earnings of $39.0 million last year.

Most of the third quarter was characterized by lower hog prices, compressed processing margins and lower sales to Japan compared to the same period last year. As a result, reduced margins from the Company's primary pork processing and international businesses more than offset strong performance in the consumer foods and poultry businesses. Towards the end of the quarter, both hog prices and pork processing margins showed marked improvement, and volume and margins from the Japanese business began to improve. Industry forecasts expect both domestic and Japanese pork markets to continue to improve in 2004.

Poultry margins continued to strengthen throughout the quarter, due to stronger selling prices and Six Sigma cost improvements. The improved pricing reflects a trend in North American poultry markets that has continued so far into the fourth quarter. Earnings in the Consumer Foods operations were affected by a short-term switch to beef products as consumers took advantage of lower beef prices, however, overall sales and margins in this business continued to improve due to strong wiener and bacon sales and increased market penetration in the food service sector. In August Maple Leaf launched a line of five refrigerated pre- cooked roast products, produced at the Company's plant in Laval, Quebec, which provide consumers a high quality, nutritious dinner roast ready to eat in ten minutes. The launch has been well supported with full product listings in all major national and discount banner stores across Canada.

Earnings from the Company's meat processing operations in Atlantic Canada continued to improve, although they declined from the prior year period. Plans were recently announced for further downsizing at the Moncton facility, the cost of which has been included in unusual items.

Agribusiness Group (research, development and supply of quality livestock nutrition products and services; pet food; swine production; and animal by-products recycling)

Agribusiness Group sales for the third quarter were $229.9 million compared to $239.6 million last year, while year-to-date sales were $684.1 million compared to $701.5 million last year. Sales declined as a result of lower commodity costs for grain products. Operating earnings in the third quarter increased by 53% to $25.9 million from $16.9 million last year. Earnings for the quarter benefited from strong performance from feed sales and profit from the sale of poultry production quota in Atlantic Canada. After excluding the impact of the profit on the sale of poultry production quota, earnings from operations were up 22% over the same quarter last year. Year to date earnings from operations were $57.1 million compared to $51.7 million last year.

The Company recently approved plans to construct a world-class $15 million feed mill in Moncton, New Brunswick, with a capacity to produce 225,000 tonnes of premium quality feed annually. When the mill is commissioned, expected within 18 months, three existing mills in the region will be closed and production consolidated into the new mill. The majority of these closure costs were recorded as an unusual item in the third quarter. Future decommissioning costs which will be charged to earnings as incurred. This investment, consistent with similar investments in Ontario and Western Canada, is a continuation of the Company's strategy to maintain leadership in the Canadian feed industry by providing high quality feed and service at the lowest cost possible to Maple Leaf's producer partners.

Bakery Products Group (comprised of Maple Leaf's 84.7% ownership in Canada Bread Company, Ltd., a leading producer of fresh and frozen par-baked bakery products, and fresh pasta and sauces)

Bakery Products Group sales for the third quarter increased to $321.5 million compared to $311.5 million for the same period last year, while year-to-date sales of $943.1 million compared to $863.9 million last year. The increased sales were due to volume increases across the Fresh, Frozen and U.K Bakeries operations. Operating earnings of $16.5 million compared to $21.0 million last year, while earnings for the first nine months were $43.6 million compared to $52.1 million last year. The decline in earnings was primarily due to costs associated with a labour dispute at a Fresh Bakery distribution centre in Quebec, which was settled in September. Excluding these costs, the Bakery Group would have recorded a 2% increase in earnings compared to the same quarter last year (a 2% decrease year to date). The Fresh Bakery operations had solid performance in the quarter, driven by increased sales to the U.S and in the Quebec market, and strong growth in Central Canada driven by increased sales of Dempsters Fresh to the Last Slice. The Frozen Bakery operations secured new in-store bakery business during the quarter in the United States and Canada, as well as several new food service contracts, and extended sales of its partially baked artisan bread products into Canada and through new US national retail accounts.

The Company declared a dividend of $0.04 per share payable on December 31, 2003 to shareholders of record on December 12, 2003.

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a leading Canadian food processing company committed to delivering quality food products to consumers around the world. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the Company employs approximately 18,000 people at its operations across Canada, and in the United States, Europe and Asia. The Company reported sales of $5.1 billion in 2002.

RETURN TO HOME PAGE

E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com