Central European Distribution Corporation Announces Polish Treasury Grants 96-Hour Exclusivity to Sobieski to Demonstrate Ability to Finance

Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania: Central European Distribution Corporation, today announced that the Polish Treasury Ministry has entered into 96-hour exclusive negotiations with Sobieski Distribution for the purchase of 61% of Polmos Bialystok. This is the shortest exclusivity period ever granted by the Polish Treasury to date. As such, Sobieski will need to demonstrate that it can finance a one-time cash payment for the amount it has offered to the Treasury Ministry. If the financial commitment does not meet the Treasury's expectations including timing of the financing by June 3, 2005, the Treasury will return to the other two investors, which includes CEDC.

In addition, Sobieski would need to obtain anti-monopoly approval as CEDC believes Bialystok would give Sobieski an approximate 53% market share which is well over the 40% threshold set by the Polish anti-monopoly office.

CEDC is one of the leading importers of beers, wines and spirits, as well as the largest distributor of domestic vodka on a nationwide basis, in Poland. The Company operates 13 distribution centers and 78 satellite branches throughout Poland. It distributes many of the world's leading brands in Poland, including brands such as Johnnie Walker Scotch, Stock Brandy, Jose Cuervo Tequila, Sutter Home, Torres, Mondavi and Concha y Toro wines, Corona, Foster's, Grolsch, Budweiser Budvar and Guinness Stout beers.

Contact:
Jim Archbold,
Investor Relations Officer
Central European Distribution Corporation
610-660-7817

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of CEDC to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements, expressed or implied, by forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward- looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. CEDC undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required to do so by the securities laws. Investors are referred to the full discussion of risks and uncertainties included in CEDC's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, and in other periodic reports filed by CEDC with the Securities and Exchange Commission.