LDCI News & Events

PRESS RELEASE

May 24th, 2004-Louis Dreyfus Citrus Inc. announces that it has acquired Pasco Beverage’s Frozen Retail Concentrated Juice Business and Multi-Line Cans Inc.

Louis Dreyfus Citrus Inc, announced today that it has acquired the Frozen Retail Concentrated Juice Business and the Multi-Line Cans Inc. businesses from Pasco Beverages located in Dade City Florida.

“These acquisitions will insure a continued supply of high quality frozen concentrated juices to the retail trade enabling consumers across North America to continue to enjoy nutritious and refreshing juices and beverages in a product form with the best economic value” said Rick Tomlin, senior vice president for Dreyfus’ Florida operations.

Additionally, Dreyfus announces that it has begun an expansion of its’ Winter Garden Florida retail packaging operations to accommodate the additional volumes from the Pasco acquisition. That expansion will be completed in November 2004. Pasco’s Dade City and Fontana facilities will toll-pack the acquired business until the expanded Winter Garden facilities are operational.

About Louis Dreyfus Citrus

Louis Dreyfus Citrus is the third largest orange juice processor in the world. The company owns and operates two fruit processing plants in Florida and two fruit processing plants in Brazil. The company also is a significant grower of oranges in Brazil. The company markets primarily concentrated orange juice in all major markets around the world shipping to 65 countries located primarily in Europe, North America and Asia. In addition to orange juice, the company also processes and markets juice from lemons, limes and grapefruit.

Louis Dreyfus Citrus Inc. is a part of the Louis Dreyfus Group, an organization of companies owned and controlled by Paris based Louis Dreyfus S.A.S. Principal activities of the Group, which was founded in 1851, consist of worldwide processing, trading, and merchandising of a broad range of agricultural and energy commodities, telecommunications, manufacturing, real estate development, and shipping.