VION's net profit reaches €54 million during 2008

Food company VION achieved a net profit of €54 million during 2008 from a turnover of €8.6 billion. This 57% decrease is a disappointing result in comparison to 2007. The principal cause of this decrease is due to the higher purchase price for raw materials and the inability to pass these costs through the supply chain as a result of the large supply of meat on the global market. This was compounded by the negative influence of the low value of the British pound and US dollar on the company's competitiveness. Turnover increased 21% due to acquisitions and autonomous turnover growth. The EBITA decreased 36% to €141 million. VION has delivered its strategic ambition as a European food company following the acquisition of the British company Grampian Country Food Group. With its new business model the company has an excellent organisational and financial position.

Following the restructure in March 2009, VION's business model now consists of two core activities: Food and Ingredients, which are regionally controlled. The regional control of the core activities enables efficient, effective operations given the dynamics of the international food market.

Prognosis for 2009
VION is moderately positive about 2009. The expectation is that the market situation will clearly be influenced by 2008's global economic recession. This will be expressed through increasing price consciousness among both clients and consumers which, in turn, will affect the entire production chain.

VION Food has taken the increasing demand for cheaper products into account. VION Ingredients expects lower prices for animal fats and proteins on the basis of decreasing energy and raw materials prices.

VION N.V.
VION N.V. is an internationally operating food company with two core activities Food and Ingredients. The company produces high-quality foods and ingredients for humans and animals. VION has an annual turnover of €9.6 billion and employs 35,500 staff worldwide. VION is a non-listed company and has a single agricultural shareholder: the Zuidelijke Land- en tuinbouworganisatie ZLTO [Dutch Southern Farmers and Market Gardeners Union] which has 18,000 members. VION’s head office is located in Son en Breugel, the Netherlands.

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Note for the editors
For further information:
Marc van der Lee, Director Communications VION N.V.
Tel.: +31 88 9953731. E-mail: marc.van.der.lee@vionfood.com

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About VION

VION's net profit reaches €54 million during 2008


	PRESS RELEASE Son en Breugel, 7 May 2009 VION's net profit reaches €54 million during 2008 Food company VION achieved a net profit of €54 million during 2008 from a turnover of €8.6 billion. This 57% decrease is a disappointing result in comparison to 2007. The principal cause of this decrease is due to the higher purchase price for raw materials and the inability to pass these costs through the supply chain as a result of the large supply of meat on the global market. This was compounded by the negative influence of the low value of the British pound and US dollar on the company's competitiveness. Turnover increased 21% due to acquisitions and autonomous turnover growth. The EBITA decreased 36% to €141 million. VION has delivered its strategic ambition as a European food company following the acquisition of the British company Grampian Country Food Group. With its new business model the company has an excellent organisational and financial position. Following the restructure in March 2009, VION's business model now consists of two core activities: Food and Ingredients, which are regionally controlled. The regional control of the core activities enables efficient, effective operations given the dynamics of the international food market. Prognosis for 2009 VION is moderately positive about 2009. The expectation is that the market situation will clearly be influenced by 2008's global economic recession. This will be expressed through increasing price consciousness among both clients and consumers which, in turn, will affect the entire production chain. VION Food has taken the increasing demand for cheaper products into account. VION Ingredients expects lower prices for animal fats and proteins on the basis of decreasing energy and raw materials prices. VION N.V. VION N.V. is an internationally operating food company with two core activities Food and Ingredients. The company produces high-quality foods and ingredients for humans and animals. VION has an annual turnover of €9.6 billion and employs 35,500 staff worldwide. VION is a non-listed company and has a single agricultural shareholder: the Zuidelijke Land- en tuinbouworganisatie ZLTO [Dutch Southern Farmers and Market Gardeners Union] which has 18,000 members. VION’s head office is located in Son en Breugel, the Netherlands. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note for the editors For further information: Marc van der Lee, Director Communications VION N.V. Tel.: +31 88 9953731. E-mail: marc.van.der.lee@vionfood.com