POULTRY PRODUCT SUPPLY PROBLEMS IN ESTONIA

HK Ruokatalo Group Oyj   STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 6 June 2005, at 9am

POULTRY PRODUCT SUPPLY PROBLEMS IN ESTONIA

HK Ruokatalo’s Estonian subsidiary Tallegg is currently experiencing
difficulties in supplying poultry products to Estonia and the other
Baltic states. These problems are a consequence of cleaning and
disinfection operations at the factory following the discovery of
salmonella bacteria during routine control.

In the interest of consumers, deliveries of poultry products have been
restricted until further notice.

Salmonella bacteria are common in poultry and there is nothing
exceptional about its presence in the Baltics. Within the EU, only
Finland and Sweden have successfully managed to keep salmonella under
control through years of pro-active work by poultry farmers, the
processing industry and the authorities alike. The EU has recognised
this and awarded Finland and Sweden special salmonella-free status.

The cleaning operations currently underway at the poultry factory in
Estonia will restore the situation to normal and eliminate any sources
of contamination. These operations will mean temporary disruptions in
production and thus interruptions in supply in the Baltic states. It
is difficult to estimate how long these disruptions will last. The
extra costs incurred by Tallegg as a result of the actions being taken
to normalise the situation will have a negative impact on Tallegg's
result for this quarter.

HK Ruokatalo’s Estonian subsidiary sells its products primarily in
Estonia and other Baltic states. The products are not sold in Finland.


HK Ruokatalo Group Oyj



Simo Palokangas
CEO



DISTRIBUTION:
Helsinki Exchanges
Internet: www.hk-ruokatalo.fi