WH : Completes Acquisition of California's Largest Pork Processor Clougherty

[For Immediate Release] WH Group Completes Acquisition of California's Largest Pork Processor Clougherty

Hong Kong, January 4, 2017 - WH Group Limited ("WH Group" or the "Company"; HKEX: 288), the world's largest pork company, today announced that its subsidiary, Smithfield Foods, Inc. ("Smithfield") has completed the acquisition of Clougherty Packing LLC ("Clougherty"), parent company of Farmer John and Saag's Specialty Meats brands, and PFFJ LLC farm operations from Hormel Foods Corporation("Hormel"). The closing followed the approval of the sale by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

WH Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Wan Long said: "The acquisition helps the Company enter the U.S. West Coast market with a more strengthened product mix, supply chain and sales network. We are convinced that it will generate more opportunities for the Company's U.S. operations and has a strong growth potential, which will solidify and strengthen the Company's leading position in the global market."

"We are proud to officially welcome Farmer John to our growing Smithfield family-a move that has already created new value for our combined operations and set the stage for a strong 2017," said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods. "With this one acquisition, we've created a more efficient supply chain coast-to-coast and expanded our operations, product portfolio as well as our customer and consumer base."

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About WH Group Limited (HKEx stock code: 288)

WH Group Limited is the largest pork company in the world with the top market share in China, the U.S. and some markets in Europe. It owns many well-recognized and trusted brands and stands above the rest with global market leadership in all key segments of the pork value chain, including packaged meats, fresh pork and hog production. The Group conducts its operations through Henan Shuanghui Investment

& Development Co., Ltd., the largest animal protein company in Asia, and Smithfield Foods, the largest pork company in the U.S. For more information, visit www.wh-group.com.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods, a wholly owned subsidiary of WH Group Limited, is a global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan's Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldfoods.com/responsible-operations.

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Hill+Knowlton Strategies Renee Chen / Eva Yip 2894 6232 / 2894 6313 [e-mail]

WH Group Luis Chein [phone] [e-mail]