Tyson Foods Benefiting From Solid Capital Structure

NEW YORK, June 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN)
reported today that the capital restructuring it underwent in recent months
secured more than $1.7 billion in liquidity as of March 28 and has ensured
financial flexibility while addressing more than $1.8 billion in near-term debt
maturities.

Speaking at the Barclays Capital Leveraged Finance Consumer Conference, Dennis
Leatherby, Tyson's executive vice president and chief financial officer, said,
"Tyson has a solid capital structure. We have strong liquidity and financial
flexibility."

In September, Tyson began capital restructuring by issuing 22.4 million Class A
Common Shares and $458 million in Senior Convertible Notes. In March, the
company successfully completed an $810 million high yield bond offering and
replaced its previous revolving credit facility with a $1 billion asset-based
lending facility.

"Despite volatile commodity markets, we have been disciplined in reducing our
debt load," Leatherby said. "Our net debt at the end of our second quarter was
$2.6 billion, compared to a high of nearly $5 billion in 2001."

Tyson has previously reported that its chicken, beef, pork and prepared foods
segments are all profitable. Leatherby said the chicken segment has made
significant improvement as a result of sales volume, product mix, shorter-term
contracts with customers and operational efficiencies. Leatherby also said
Tyson's chicken business will have a stronger third quarter than indicated on
its May 4 earnings call.

Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is
the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork, the
second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the
S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food
products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice
markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout
the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately
107,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the
United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and
Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust
and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team
Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work
environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted
to it.

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Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in the news release may constitute forward-looking
statements, such as statements relating to projected performance. Historical
results may not be indicative of future results. We wish to caution readers not
to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date made.

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CONTACT: Tyson Foods, Inc.
Media Contact:
Gary Mickelson,
479-290-6111
Investor Contact:
Ruth Ann Wisener
479-290-4235