Chr. Hansen Holding A/S pays dividends taking into account actual earnings, the risk management, strategy and investment plans.

In view of the divestment of the Ingredients Sector in the spring of 2005, the Board of Directors of Chr. Hansen Holding A/S had the intention to return surplus capital to the shareholders of the company. As a result, the Board of Directors passed a resolution on October 5 to exercise the authority in the company’s Articles of Association to pay out an interim dividend of DKK 394.93 per share of DKK 10, equivalent to a total distribution of DKK 4.0 billion.

At the annual general meeting to be held on December 13, 2005, the Board of Directors intends to propose that an ordinary dividend of DKK 5 per share of DKK 10 be declared, which will bring total dividends for 2004/05 to DKK 400 per share, equivalent to a total dividend distribution of DKK 4.05 billion and a pay-out ratio of 94%.

Payment of the ordinary dividend for 2004/05 is expected to take place on December 19, 2005.