SunOpta Signs New Soymilk Contract with Vitasoy USA Inc.

July 6, 2004
SunOpta Signs New Soymilk Contract with Vitasoy USA Inc.

TORONTO--July 6, 2004--SunOpta Inc. (SunOpta or the Company) (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Vitasoy USA Inc. ("Vitasoy") to supply Vitasoy's soymilk concentrate requirements and package Vitasoy's shelf stable soymilk for the North American Market. This contract will utilize all facets of SunOpta's vertically integrated soymilk model from the sourcing of organic beans through processing and finally packaging.

Allan Routh, President of the Grains & Soy Products Group of SunOpta, commented that "We have had a long and continuous business history with Vitasoy and this new agreement is an extension of the excellent relationship that exists between our companies."

The new agreement will be effective August 2004 and is expected to add revenues of approximately $7.0 - $8.0 million annually to SunOpta's vertically integrated soy business. Vitasoy USA Inc. is a subsidiary of Vitasoy International, a large soyfoods manufacturer with operations in Asia, Australia and the United States.

SunOpta Inc. is an owner/operator of high-growth ethical businesses, focusing on integrated business models in the natural and organic food markets. For the last six consecutive years, SunOpta was included in Profit magazine's 'Profit 100' list of the 100 fastest growing companies in Canada. The company has three business units: the SunOpta Food Group, which specializes in sourcing, processing and distribution of natural and organic food products integrated from seed through packaged products; the Opta Minerals Group, a producer, distributor, and recycler of environmentally friendly industrial materials; and the StakeTech Steam Explosion Group that engineers and markets clean pulping systems using patented steam explosion technology. Each of these business units has proprietary products and services that give it a solid competitive advantage in its sector.

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking information. Actual future results may differ materially. The risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could influence actual results are described in the Company's annual report to shareholders and in SEC filings.

    CONTACT: SunOpta Inc.
             Jeremy N. Kendall, Steve Bromley, John Dietrich,
             Susan Wiekenkamp, 905-455-2528, ext 103
             email: swiekenkamp@sunopta.com
             website: www.sunopta.com

    SOURCE: SunOpta Inc.