Tate & Lyle PLC – Trading Update prior to entering closed period

Before entering its closed period for the year ending 31 March 2003 and prior to meeting with stockbrokers’ analysts, Tate & Lyle issues the following routine trading update. The preliminary results for the year ending 31 March 2003 will be announced on 5 June 2003. Highlights of trading for 11 months to February 2003 Since the update on 30 January 2003 Tate & Lyle’s trading has remained in line with our expectations. Trading in Amylum has outperformed the corresponding period in the prior year. Benefits have come from the earlier than expected achievement of savings resulting from integration into the Group and a strong performance from its operations in Central Europe. Staley has continued to perform well growing profits from food ingredients although citric acid has suffered lower earnings as a result of the competitive market. The European Union and Canadian sugar activities have continued to perform satisfactorily, however the central European sugar businesses have been affected by changes to the Czech Republic sugar regulations. Rising energy costs in the second half-year had little impact overall in the current year due to our hedging policy. The cash flow from operations, together with disposal proceeds, has further reduced net debt in the second half of the year. About Tate & Lyle Tate & Lyle is a world leader in carbohydrate ingredients. Our core competence is to take basic carbohydrates - corn, wheat or sugar - and add value to these raw materials through technology. As a result of continuous innovation we offer an ever-wider product portfolio of versatile and functional ingredients. These products include Cereal Sweeteners, Starches, Sugars and Citric Acid. Our products have wide applications in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, paper, packaging and building industries. With headquarters in London, the Group has 8,500 employees and 50 plants in 24 countries. Sales in the 53 weeks to 31 March 2002 totalled £3.9 billion. Tate & Lyle ordinary shares trade on the London Stock Exchange under TATE.L. In the US, ADRs trade on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board under TATYY (each ADR is equal to four ordinary shares). Additional information can be found at the website www.tateandlyle.com.