THE BIDVEST GROUP LIMITED - TRADING UPDATE

THE BIDVEST GROUP LIMITED - TRADING UPDATE                                      
The Bidvest Group Limited                                                       
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
Registration number 1946/021180/06                                              
Share code: BVT                                                                 
ISIN: ZAE000050449                                                              
("Bidvest" or "the Company")                                                    
Trading Update in respect of the six month period ended December 31, 2004       
In terms of paragraph 3.4(b) of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Securities 
Exchange South Africa ("the JSE Listings Requirements") a listed company is     
required to publish a trading statement as soon as it is satisfied that a       
reasonable degree of certainty exists that the financial results for the period 
to be reported on next will differ by at least 20% from those of the previous   
corresponding period.                                                           
In light of the above, Bidvest announces that it expects headline earnings per  
share for the six months ended December 31 2004 to be approximately 29% higher  
than those of the prior comparative period.                                     
Shareholders are advised to take cognizance of the inclusion of McCarthy Limited
in the Bidvest interim results for the first time in addition to the effect of  
the acquisition of the minority interests of Bidvest plc and Bidcorp plc.       
This trading statement has not been reviewed or reported on by Bidvest"s        
external auditors.  The release of the announcement of the interim results for  
the six month period ended December 31 2004 is expected to be published on or   
about February 28 2005.                                                         
By order of the board                                                           
February 2, 2005                                                                
Sponsor:                                                                        
Investec Bank Limited              Deutsche Securities (Pty) Limited            
Date: 02/02/2005 05:21:04 PM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
Produced by the JSE SENS Department