MHP expands operations through Moldovan investment and Trend Foods acquisition

Ukrainian poultry giant MHP is pursuing significant expansion through new investment proposals in Moldova and the full acquisition of Trend Foods.

MHP has proposed a €20 million investment in Moldova to construct a slaughterhouse and processing plant with an annual capacity of approximately 50,000 tons of poultry meat. Under this contract farming model, local Moldovan farmers would raise broilers for MHP's facilities, providing local income without the holding building its own farms. MHP is also calling for the removal of trade barriers between Ukraine and Moldova regarding poultry, feed, and related products, while seeking guarantees for participation in poultry exports from Moldova to the EU. The proposal is currently being evaluated by the Moldovan Investment Agency.

In a separate move, MHP has acquired the remaining 30% stake in Trend Foods, the producer of the RyabChick chicken snack brand, gaining full control over the company's trademarks, technology, and recipes. While MHP manages global operations, the previous owner, Kateryna Nikołajenko, retains perpetual exclusive licensing rights to produce and sell RyabChick products in the USA and South Korea. Plans are underway to establish production facilities in those two markets at an estimated cost of $2 million.