DNAP Holding Corporation today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 1999. DNAP reported a net loss of $4.9 million for the first quarter of 1999, or $0.21 per share, compared with a loss of $0.7 million, or $0.04 per share for the first quarter of 1998. Total revenues declined 17% from $70.5 million in the first quarter of 1998 to $58.3 million in the first quarter of 1999.

As stated in a press release made by the Company last week, these results were driven by
unfavorable weather conditions in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico where DNAP has its major
growing operations during the winter season. Temperatures in the region were much cooler than
normal which caused a 23% decline in production volumes from the first quarter of 1998 to the
first quarter of 1999, and a 30% decline versus the Company's expectations prior to the start of
the growing season. Even after the Company achieved a year-on-year $2 million reduction in the
costs of its farming operations for the winter growing season, farming gross profit declined by
$2.7 million from the first quarter of 1998 to the first quarter of 1999.

These same weather conditions also caused the Company to deliver a larger percentage of its
production to the Mexican market rather than selling it in the United States and Canada, which
typically deliver higher prices than Mexico. Due to this impact and the overall lower volumes
available for sale, DNAP's distribution companies' gross profit fell $1.4 million, or 26%, from
the first quarter of 1998 to the first quarter of 1999.

Selling and administrative expenses increased by $0.9 million as the Company added certain
resources in its farming, selling, and administrative functions in anticipation of growing its business during 1999 and improving its management information systems. Research and development expense increased slightly as activity started up during the first quarter of 1999 in VPP Corporation, DNAP's subsidiary that is working on the development of the strawberry program following the acquisition in January of Monsanto Company's strawberry assets.

Interest expense increased 31% from $1.75 million in the first quarter of 1998 to $2.3 million in
the first quarter of 1999 due to increased loan balances and higher interest rates associated with
DNAP's debt refinancing in the fourth quarter of 1998 and first quarter of 1999. Largely offsetting this increase in interest expense was an increase in interest income of 270% from $0.2 million in the first quarter of 1998 to $0.7 million in the first quarter of 1999 associated with the higher rates charged on advances to growers.

"Before the full effects of the weather became known to us, we had expected this first quarter
to be a very strong quarter,'' stated Bernardo Jimenez, Chief Executive Officer of DNAP Holding. "Strategic actions we had taken to assure improved product quality, grow our sales, and reduce costs were clearly overshadowed by the extremely unusual weather experienced in Mexico during this winter season.''

DNAP Holding Corporation is a leading biotechnology company focused on using its proprietary genetic engineering and plant science technologies to develop and improve the quality and agronomic traits of fruits and vegetables. Through its fresh produce growers and distribution companies, DNAP is known for its premium Master's Touch® and FreshWorld Farms® brands. DNAP has strategic joint ventures and licensing agreements with some of the world's leading agricultural companies, with its affiliates, including Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc., with value-added producers and marketers, and with biotechnology research groups. DNAP Holding Corporation is majority owned by Mexico's SAVIA, S.A. de C.V., formerly known as Empresas La Moderna, S.A. de C.V., whose subsidiaries include the world's biggest vegetable seed company.

Company news release
N1763