Agricore United to Construct New Bean Processing Facility in Carman, Manitoba.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Agricore United today announced plans to build a new dry edible bean facility in Carman, Manitoba. This facility will replace the Company's existing plant located in Carman and greatly expand the company's existing dry bean processing capability in southern Manitoba.

The new Carman plant will process the market classes of beans that are produced in Manitoba, including navy and colored bean types. The new facility will also enable the Company to exceed the quality control standards for food safety reflected in the existing plant's registration under ISO 9000 and compliance with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines.

"This investment will help the Manitoba bean industry continue to realize its full potential in the international marketplace," says Blair Roth, Manager, Beans and Special Crops. "The facility will contain a state-of-the-art cleaning line and will incorporate the latest in processing technology and automation." Roth says the investment will enhance Agricore United's ability to service the needs of the Manitoba dry bean grower and end-use customers around the world.

Agricore United has two other dry bean processing facilities located in Taber, Alberta, and Bow Island, Alberta. The most recently constructed plant was built in 1994 in Taber, Alberta.

Agricore United is one of Canada's leading agri-businesses. The prairie-based company is diversified into sales of crop inputs and services, grain merchandising, livestock production services and financial markets. Agricore United's shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AU".