Ukrainian agricultural group MHP has completed its acquisition of Trend Foods, which produces chicken snacks under the RyabChick brand. On July 26, 2026, MHP acquired the remaining 30% stake from entrepreneur Kateryna Nikolaienko, becoming the company's sole owner. Nikolaienko disclosed the transaction in an interview with Forbes Ukraine, as reported by Latifundist.
An agreement to sell the stake had been in place since late 2022. The parties have not disclosed the financial terms of the transaction. Following the buyout, MHP gained full ownership of the RyabChick trademark, production technology, and product recipes.
At the same time, Kateryna Nikolaienko retained indefinite exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the snacks in the United States and South Korea under a royalty-bearing licensing agreement. Going forward, MHP plans to develop the brand in Ukraine, Europe, and other markets, while Nikolaienko will focus on the U.S. and South Korean markets.
The RyabChick brand was launched in 2020. The idea of introducing a new product to the Ukrainian market was proposed by MHP founder Yuriy Kosiuk. Following a successful market launch, the agricultural group acquired a 70% stake in the company before increasing its ownership to 100% in July 2026.
RyabChick currently produces more than 1 million packs of chicken snacks per month. In 2025, sales reached 288 tonnes, equivalent to approximately 9.6 million packs, representing a 63% increase year-on-year. During the first nine months of 2026, the brand's sales grew by a further 22% compared with the same period in 2025.
RyabChick products are available in Ukraine, several European countries, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Nikolaienko also plans to establish snack production facilities in the United States and South Korea. According to her, direct exports of Ukrainian poultry to these markets are currently not possible due to the absence of the required government certification.
The preliminary cost of building a single production facility abroad is estimated at approximately $2 million. To finance the projects, the entrepreneur plans to use her own funds, attract local partners, and secure bank loans.
