Smithton, Australia, November 20, 2009 - Today the management of McCain Foods Australia announced that its Smithton, Tasmania (Australia) vegetable plant will cease operations following completion of the processing season at the end of April 2010. Packaging will cease in October or November of 2010. The Smithton French fry factory will continue to operate.

Investments required to modernize the plant, coupled with rising input costs, could not be economically justified, leading to the decision to close the plant. The company will work closely with affected employees and their respective unions to provide support and compensation. After the completion of packing in November 2010, the region’s vegetable requirements will be serviced from McCain Foods’ facility in Hastings, New Zealand. 

About McCain Foods Limited:

McCain Foods Limited is an international leader in the frozen food industry, employing 20,000 people and operating 53 production facilities on six continents. A privately owned company headquartered in Florenceville and Toronto, Canada, McCain Foods has annual sales of CDN$6.5 billion. McCain Foods is the world’s largest producer of frozen potato specialties. The company’s products can be found in thousands of restaurants and supermarket freezers in more than 130 countries around the world.