Mitsui Foods Signs Exclusive Distributorship Agreement with Yantai

08/09/06 Mitsui Foods, Inc. announced that it has signed, as of August 10, 2006, an exclusive distributorship agreement with Yantai North Andre Juice Co., Ltd. (YNA), a leading Chinese processor in the apple and pear concentrate and by-product industry. This agreement provides MFI with exclusive distribution in the United States and Canada for YNA’s apple juice concentrate, pear juice concentrate and apple essence.

MFI, a leading supplier to the food industry, is a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. and an ultimate wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. of Japan—one of the world’s largest corporations that has 172 offices in over 72 countries as well as 582 subsidiaries and associated companies worldwide.

The YNA products will be managed by MFI’s Ingredients Division where they will greatly strengthen MFI’s product portfolio and supply base. The Ingredients Division will continue to focus its procurement and sales efforts in the ingredients and raw materials arena, particularly juice concentrates, organic juices and fruit products, essences, purees, citrus oils and flavor ingredients. The combined strengths of MFI and YNA will provide our customers with improved supply chain management and customer service.

Commenting on the transaction, Gene Grant, Vice President and General Manager of the Ingredients Division, said, “The alignment with Yantai North Andre adds great value to the Ingredients Division. The supply chain capability that is forged by these alignments, and the strength that it brings to our portfolio, places Mitsui Foods, Inc. at the forefront of the apple and pear juice concentrate categories within the ingredients industry.”