Natchix/Astral - Appeal to the Competition Tribunal

National Chick Limited
(Registration number 1980/008743/06)
(Share code:NCX, ISIN number ZAE000010591
("Natchix")
Astral Foods Limited
(Registration number 1978/003194/06)
(Share code:ARL, ISIN number ZAE000029757)
("Astral")
Appeal to the Competition Tribunal

Shareholders of Astral and Natchix have previously been advised that Astral
requested the Competition Tribunal to consider the ruling by the Competition
Commission on the acquisition by Astral of all of the shares in Natchix it
does not already own ("the acquisition"). Astral and Natchix shareholders
are advised that the Competition Tribunal has today approved the acquisition
subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions ("the conditions").

The board of directors of Astral will study the Competition Tribunal's
ruling, and will advise shareholders as soon as possible of its decision, in
light of the conditions:
- to implement the acquisition; or
- to embark on an alternative course of action.
Pretoria
2 April 2002
Adviser and transactional sponsor to Astral Foods
Rand Merchant Bank Corporate Finance
Adviser to Natchix
BoE
Sponsor to Astral Foods
ING Barings
Sponsor to Natchix
BoE Securities
Corporate law adviser and consultant to Astral
Edward Nathan & Friedland (Proprietary) Limited