The Hershey Company (HSY) 10-Q 2005 Q3 Quarterly report

EXHIBIT 12

THE HERSHEY COMPANY
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(in thousands of dollars except for ratios)
(Unaudited)

	For the Nine Months Ended
	October 2, 2005		October 3, 2004
Earnings:
Income before income taxes	$	528,924	$	567,057
Add (deduct):
Interest on indebtedness		64,883		49,729
Portion of rents representative of the
interest factor (a)		6,186		7,240
Amortization of debt expense		353		335
Amortization of capitalized interest		2,340		2,685
Earnings as adjusted	$	602,686	$	627,046
Fixed Charges:
Interest on indebtedness	$	64,883	$	49,729
Portion of rents representative of the
interest factor (a)		6,186		7,240
Amortization of debt expense		353		335
Capitalized interest		--		2,597
Total fixed charges	$	71,422	$	59,901
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		8.44		10.47

NOTE:

(a) Portion of rents representative of the interest factor consists of one-third of rental expense for operating leases.