BIDVEST PLC, RESULTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31 2001

Bidvest plc
("Bidvest plc")
Results for the nine months ended March 31 2001

Bidvest plc is a 77% held subsidiary of The Bidvest Group Limited. Bidvest plc
is listed on the Luxembourg and Australian Stock Exchanges, with a market
capitalisation of approximately GBP200 million.  Bidvest plc, is a

distribution, trading and service business supplying the foodservice,
hospitality and leisure markets and is made up of 3663 First for Foodservice
(United Kingdom), Bidvest Australia and Crean Foodservice of New Zealand
(Australasia). Bidvest plc is the vehicle for The Bidvest Group Limited to
internationalise its foodservice activities.
Highlights

* Turnover                        GBP739,0m     -11%

* Operating income                GBP17,3m      +25%

* Attributable income             GBP12,8m      +43%

* Headline earnings per share     6,63p         +15%
* UK operating income up 20%
* Australasia operating income up 52%.
Brian Joffe, Chairman, commented:

"The management and staff at Bidvest plc have reported strong results for the
period under review.  The Group remains well positioned to continue to grow
through increased efficiencies and acquisitions. An impressive performance
despite the current trading environment."
April 25 2001
Enquiries:

Bidvest plc                             Tel:  + 27 (0) 11 481 4100
Brian Joffe, Chairman
Jack Hochfeld, Group Corporate Finance

College Hill Johannesburg               Tel:  + 27 (0) 11 447 3030
Tom Allison
Linda Baker

Bidvest plc is pleased to announce another strong performance for the nine
months ended March 31 2001.   Brian Joffe, Chairman of Bidvest plc said of the
results, "Whilst the company traded beyond our internal expectations I am
confident that further operational benefits can be realised in the medium term.
Operating income increased by 25% to GBP17,3m and income attributable to
shareholders increased by 43% to GBP12.8m.  The strength of the operating
performance is not fully reflected by the 15% increase in headline earnings per
share to 6,63p for the nine months.  The increase in earnings per share would
be higher but for the distortion on share weighting arising out of the large
issue of shares following the nine-for-two rights issue in September 1999. The
weighted number of shares in issue increased by 26%.
UNITED KINGDOM

Last year's results from the United Kingdom (UK) included an additional week's
trading, due to the way the June 30 1999 year end fell.

Whilst all divisions traded better than expectation, further operational
benefits should be realised in the medium term. In the quarter, 3663 First for
Foodservice of the United Kingdom, brought into use additional facility
capacity in order to cope with further business gained, which commences in
April 2001. Transitional costs associated with this expansion have been
expensed in the quarter.

Turnover in the logistics divisions was down on last year, due to a shift to
contracts based on dedication resource allocation. The change initially reduced
turnover, but it has impacted positively on operating profit from the second
quarter of the current financial year and is expected to further increase in
the medium term.
AUSTRALIA

In appreciating the results of Bidvest Australasia, cognisance should be taken
of the 11% devaluation, in the quarter to March 2001 of the Australian dollar
average exchange rate against the sterling (9 months - 6% decline), the
Australian operations continued to improve.  Said Brian Joffe, "Growth in
Australia has been driven by a combination of good organic growth and the
impressive bedding down of the recent acquisitions."
NEW ZEALAND

Crean Foodservice (acquired in April 2000) continued to perform ahead of
expectations.  The company achieved national coverage with the purchase of a
distribution business on the South Island in January 2001 and the integration
process is proceeding ahead of expectations.
PROSPECTS

Management continues to focus on balance sheet and operational efficiencies
whilst at the same time pursuing organic and acquisitive growth.  It is not
expected that the Foot and Mouth outbreak in the UK will detract from the
year's results.

Bidvest plc continues to look for suitable international opportunities.