In 2025, Ukraine’s largest poultry producer, MHP, manufactured 926,300 tonnes of poultry, up 8% compared with the previous year. Strong growth in the company’s European division was the primary driver behind the increase, MHP said in its annual report. Meanwhile, MHP’s poultry production in Ukraine declined by 5% year-on-year to 677,100 tonnes.

The European division, which includes Perutnina Ptuj and the recently acquired Spanish UVESA Group, increased output by 70% compared with the previous year, reaching 249,200 tonnes. Since its acquisition in July 2025, UVESA Group has produced 84,100 tonnes of poultry and 29,000 tonnes of pork.

MHP maintained poultry exports from Ukraine close to the previous year’s level at 368,600 tonnes, the company said.

Impact of war and peace negotiations

MHP reported that its war-related costs peaked in 2025 at US$69 million, compared with US$54 million in the previous year and US$35 million in 2023. In 2022, the figure also stood at US$69 million.

“Across Ukraine, all business segments remain operational despite the severe challenges of war, including missile attacks, energy disruptions and logistical constraints,” MHP said in the report.

The company emphasised that it had ensured operational continuity through alternative energy solutions such as generators and biogas facilities, safeguarding electricity, heating, cooling and steam supplies.

“We continue to monitor peace negotiations closely and their potential impact on Ukraine’s economy,” the company added.

European growth

MHP also noted that it remains open to further international expansion and growth, particularly in Europe, focusing on opportunities that create synergies and diversify hard-currency earnings.

MHP also announced plans to invest in its newly-acquired UVESA Group assets in a bid to boost output further.

“Strategically, this acquisition is comparable in importance to our purchase of Perutnina Ptuj Group in 2019,” MHP said.

Perutnina Ptuj increased production to 216,800 tonnes, compared with only 80,000 tonnes in 2018. EBITDA nearly quadrupled from US$34 million in 2018 to US$120 million last year.

The growth was accompanied by expanding sales across markets, including in Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, alongside a strategic shift toward higher-margin convenience and value-added food products.

“Beyond Europe, we also continue to expand our export footprint into new international markets, including the United Kingdom and Canada, where demand for high-quality poultry and prepared food solutions remains strong,” MHP said.

New investments in UVESA are expected to further fuel export growth.

“Our objective is to accelerate UVESA’s growth by empowering its experienced management team to scale operations, drive innovation, enhance efficiency and expand into new markets,” MHP added.