Exhibit 99


UNIVERSAL CORPORATION                                NEWS
P.O. Box 25099                                       Phone:      (804)359-9311
Richmond, VA 23260                                   Fax:        (804)254-3584


Contact:                                             Release:

     KAREN M.L. WHELAN                                     July 9, 1997
     Phone:       (804)359-9311                            1:45 p.m. EDT
     Fax:         (804)254-3594



              UNIVERSAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES TANZANIAN ACQUISITION

RICHMOND, VA, July 9, 1997 / PRNEWSWIRE
         Universal  Corporation  today announced the purchase of Tanzania's only
leaf  processing  facility,  located in Morogoro.  The  acquisition  was part of
Tanzania's ongoing privatization process and includes the leaf processing plant,
buying  centers,  storages and offices  located  throughout the tobacco  growing
regions.  Further  investments  are  anticipated  to expand  and  modernize  the
processing facility and associated marketing infrastructure.

         Tanzania has been enjoying increasing importance and growth in the leaf
tobacco  industry as a producer of flue-cured  "filler" type tobacco which is in
high demand, particularly from European cigarette manufacturers. Tanzania is the
second largest  producer of flue-cured  tobacco in Africa and one of the world's
largest  producers of  dark-fired  tobaccos.  Universal is the market  leader in
Tanzania.

         Henry H. Harrell,  Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer of Universal,
noted,  "This acquisition is important  strategically and solidifies our already
strong  position  in  one  of  the  most  promising  new  areas  in  Africa  for
"filler-style"  flue-cured tobacco. We applaud the Tanzanian  government for its
far-sighted  efforts to create a viable free market  economy as well as the very
professional manner in which they have conducted their privatization process. We
are excited  about the  opportunities  for future  growth in  Tanzania  and look
forward to strengthening  our  long-standing  relationship and commitment to the
Tanzanian tobacco industry."

         Universal  Corporation  is a  diversified  company with  operations  in
tobacco, lumber, and agri-products.  Its gross revenues for the fiscal year that
ended on June 30, 1996, were approximately $3.6 billion.

                                      # # #