Ukrainian international agro-industrial group MHP is considering investing at least €20 million in establishing poultry meat production operations in Moldova. The project involves the construction of processing facilities and would be primarily export-oriented. Moldova’s Investment Agency is currently reviewing the company’s proposal at the request of the Moldovan government, according to the agency’s Director General, Natalia Bejan.
Under an expanded version of the project, MHP plans to produce approximately 50,000 tonnes of poultry meat annually and establish a network of independent poultry farms operating under contract with the company. MHP considers the construction of a greenfield facility, including poultry slaughtering and deboning operations, to be the most realistic option.
The company has been exploring opportunities to enter the Moldovan market for several years. Previous options included acquiring local poultry farming and processing businesses, as well as a retail chain, but these negotiations did not result in any transactions.
The project's implementation depends, among other factors, on trade conditions between Ukraine and Moldova. MHP is seeking clarification from the Moldovan authorities regarding the removal of trade barriers between the two countries and the regulations governing poultry meat exports from Moldova to the European Union. The company requires greater certainty regarding rules of origin, quotas, and restrictions that could affect access to the European market.
MHP already supplies Ukrainian-produced poultry meat and processed poultry products to Moldova through an authorized local distributor. At the same time, the group is seeking to expand the range of Ukrainian products permitted for import into the country. These include compound feed, day-old chicks, beef and offal, minced meat, and mechanically separated poultry meat.
