Leading Ukrainian poultry producer set for EU expansion
Myronivsky Hliboproduct( MHP), Ukraine’s largest producer of poultry and one of the largest in Central and Eastern Europe is considering a massive expansion into the EU poultry market through the possible acquisition of meat processing companies in Germany and other EU countries.
According to MHP, the acquisition of EU poultry processors will allow the Ukrainian company to gain a foothold in the EU market, while, in addition to Germany, the company is also considering acquiring of assets in Italy, Slovakia and France. The amount of the potential deal is estimated in the range of 100-150 million euros.
Currently MHP and other Ukrainian chicken producers are arranging all the latest formalities, regarding the long-awaited start of Ukrainian poultry exports to the EU, which has already been approved by the EU regulative bodies. According to MHP chief executive, Yuri Kosyuk, the company’s annual exports of chicken meat to the EU are expected to reach 20,000 tonnes.
MHP has long sought to expand in the EU and US poultry markets, due to lack of opportunities for further expansion in the domestic market.
In the case of the EU, MHP even held talks with Wiesenhof, Germany’s leading poultry producer, about possible cooperation in Germany and other EU markets.
MHP is also said to be looking for assets in Eastern Europe and Russia, and has plans to start supplies to the US market.
Ukrainian analysts believe that currently Myronivsky Hliboproduct remains one of the most powerful agricultural holdings in Central and Eastern Europe and significantly exceeds its competitors in Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, in terms of growth.
At present MHP accounts for about 50% of industrial poultry production in Ukraine. Among its major brands are Nasha Ryaba, Legko, Foie Gras, Baschinsky, Friendship of peoples.
