Ukrainian agroholding Zakhidnyi Buh has commenced construction of the country’s first mill specializing exclusively in the processing of durum wheat. Located in western Ukraine, the project represents a total investment of UAH 1 billion (approx. $25 million), with the facility scheduled to launch operations in October 2025.
The company has set an ambitious goal: to match the quality standards of Italian pasta giant Barilla by producing high-grade pasta using its own durum wheat. Pasta production is expected to begin in September, with the mill becoming operational one month later.
Initially, the company planned to process both soft and hard wheat. However, in fall 2024, the strategy shifted entirely toward durum-specific processing equipment. According to project director Volodymyr Boichuk, the specialized technology will enable the mill to yield up to 72% high-quality semolina—compared to just 15–20% on conventional mills.
Key specifications:
- Initial capacity: 80 tons per day
- Waste reduced to 8–10% (versus up to 50% at traditional mills)
- Contract farming for durum wheat to be launched with local farmers
- Most of the semolina will be exported to the EU; the rest will be used for in-house pasta production
The initiative is part of the company’s long-term vertical integration strategy. While the decision to process its own grain was made in 2019, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine temporarily postponed implementation. The current revival of the project reflects growing demand for high-quality, value-added agricultural products in both domestic and European markets.
