Darling International Inc. reported increased sales and earnings for its 2004 fiscal second quarter and six months ended July 3, 2004 as compared to the same periods of the prior year.

For the 2004 second quarter, the Company's net sales grew 16.6% to $91.5 million as compared to $78.5 million for the 2003 second quarter. Increases in finished product prices accounted for the majority of the $13.0 million net sales increase. For the 2004 second quarter, the Company reported net income of $4.5 million as compared to $3.2 million for the 2003 comparable period. The $1.3 million increase in net income for the 2004 second quarter resulted primarily from increases in finished product prices, which more than offset increases in cost of sales, interest expense and a loss of $1.7 million in other expenses related to the early redemption of preferred stock. Darling International Chairman and CEO, Randall Stuewe, noted that "While commodity prices continued in our favor, the second quarter reflected solid performance in all areas of our business."

For the six months ended July 3, 2004, the Company's reported net sales grew 14.9% to $169.2 million as compared to $147.2 million for the 2003 comparable period. Increases in finished product prices accounted for the majority of the $22.0 million net sales increase. For the six months ended July 3, 2004, the Company reported net income of $8.4 million as compared to $6.6 million for the 2003 comparable period. The $1.8 million increase in net income for the period resulted from increases in finished product prices, which more than offset increases in cost of sales and interest expense.

Darling International Inc. is the largest publicly traded, food processing by-products recycling company in the United States. The Company recycles used restaurant cooking oil and by-products from the beef, pork and poultry processing industries into useable products such as tallow, feed-grade fats and meat and bone meal. These products are primarily sold to animal feed and oleo-chemical manufacturers around the world. In addition, the Company provides grease trap collection services and sells equipment to restaurants.

The Company's shares are traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol DAR. In AMEX trading on August 13, 2004, Darling stock closed at $4.02 per share.

{This media release contains forward-looking statements regarding the business operations of Darling. These statements are identified by words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "should," "estimate," continue," and other words referring to events to occur in the future. These statements reflect Darling's current view of future events and are based on its assessment of, and are subject to, a variety of risks and uncertainties, including business and economic conditions in its existing markets. Other risks and uncertainties regarding Darling, its business and the industry in which it operates are referenced from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Darling is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.}

                        Darling International Inc.
                      Consolidated Operating Results
           For the Periods Ended July 3, 2004 and June 28, 2003
             (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                               (Unaudited)

                      Three Months Ended           Six Months Ended
                                   $ Change                      $ Change
                  July 3, June 28, Favorable   July 3, June 28,  Favorable
                   2004     2003 (Unfavorable)  2004     2003  (Unfavorable)

  Net sales       $91,509 $78,536  $12,973    $169,233  $147,187  $22,046
  Costs and
   expenses:
    Cost of sales
     and operating
     expenses      67,309  60,033   (7,276)    125,528   111,083  (14,445)
    Selling,
     general and
     administrative
     expenses       9,175   8,879     (296)     18,193    17,399     (794)
    Depreciation and
     amortization   3,971   3,623     (348)      7,746     7,280     (466)
      Total
       costs and
       expenses    80,455  72,535   (7,920)    151,467   135,762  (15,705)
  Operating income 11,054   6,001    5,053      17,766    11,425    6,341
  Other income
   (expense):
    Interest
     expense       (1,800)   (419)  (1,381)     (3,560)     (911)  (2,649)
    Other, net     (1,734)   (453)  (1,281)       (339)      130     (469)
      Total other
       expense     (3,534)   (872)  (2,662)     (3,899)     (781)  (3,118)
  Income before
   income taxes     7,520   5,129    2,391      13,867    10,644    3,223
  Income taxes     (3,054) (1,949)  (1,105)     (5,466)   (4,045)  (1,421)
  Net income        4,466   3,180    1,286       8,401     6,599    1,802
  Preferred
   dividends and
   accretion (A)      ---    (342)     342         ---      (697)     697
  Net income
   applicable to
   common
   shareholders    $4,466  $2,838   $1,628      $8,401    $5,902   $2,499
  Basic income
   per share        $0.07   $0.05    $0.02       $0.13     $0.10    $0.03
  Diluted income
   per share        $0.07   $0.05    $0.02       $0.13     $0.09    $0.04

   (A)  Pursuant to SFAS 150, beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2003,
        on a prospective basis, preferred stock dividends and accretion are
        included in interest expense.  Approximately $0.1 million of
        dividends and accretion are included in interest expense for the
        second quarter and $0.4 million for the six months ended
        July 3, 2004.

   FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
   John O. Muse, Executive Vice President of
   Finance and Administration, or
   Brad Phillips, Treasurer
   251 O'Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300
   Irving, Texas  75038
   Phone:  972-717-0300

SOURCE: Darling International Inc.