Ukrainian agricultural holding Avesterra Group, owned by Dmytro Dobkin, has announced a large-scale strategy to expand its chicken meat exports to the British market. According to the company's owner, speaking in an interview with British trade magazine The Grocer, foreign supply volumes are expected to reach approximately 1,000 tons of chicken per month by the end of 2027, accounting for about 20% of the holding's total production. The first commercial shipment of products under the Delika brand to the UK took place in July 2026, while subsequent shipments in August and September laid the foundation for regular sales to British partners. At the initial stage, the company is focusing on the B2B segment, but in the medium term it is considering opportunities to enter retail and restaurant channels.
Foreign Exchange Revenue as a Tool for Production Resilience
Dobkin cites business diversification and the generation of foreign exchange revenue as a key argument in favor of expanding into international markets, noting that this revenue helps finance the operation of production facilities in Ukraine. Specifically, foreign currency proceeds are channeled into purchasing day-old chicks in Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic for further rearing at Ukrainian sites. "Ukraine remains our main market," the entrepreneur emphasized, pointing out that exports do not displace domestic consumption but complement it. In 2026, Avesterra Group also began supplying chicken to the Netherlands and Estonia, demonstrating a systematic expansion of its geographic footprint in Europe.
75 Million Euros Invested in Production Base
The expansion of export capacities relies on substantial capital investments. In 2025, the holding launched one of Ukraine's most modern chicken processing complexes, covering 30,000 square meters in the Volyn region. The complex's automated lines are designed to process 13,500 broilers per hour. Total investment in the construction of the processing complex reached 60 million euros, with an additional 15 million euros allocated for building new poultry houses. Thus, over the course of the war, more than 75 million euros have been invested in Avesterra Group's production infrastructure. The company also continues to invest in technologies and biosecurity systems, while its vertically integrated model—from feed production and poultry growing to processing and logistics—allows for quality control and ensures complete product traceability at all stages.
Certification and Entry into the British Market
To legally enter the UK market, Avesterra Group underwent a full cycle of audits and obtained FSSC 22000 certification, as well as authorization to supply products to the country. The British publication The Grocer, which published Dobkin's interview, notes that Ukrainian chicken is already featured on shelves and in the procurement of British B2B partners under the Delika brand. In the interview, the holding's owner thanked British buyers, who, in his words, "help support our business," and highlighted the company's social mission of providing Ukrainians with affordable food products even amid the ongoing conflict.
Avesterra Group's Position on the Ukrainian Market
According to the company, Avesterra Group ranks fourth in chicken production volume in Ukraine and second in poultry meat sales on the domestic market. The holding includes 120 poultry houses, with a staff exceeding 1,500 employees. On the Ukrainian market, the company's products are represented by the Epikur and Chebaturochka brands. The export vector under the Delika brand complements the domestic portfolio and opens additional sales channels, which together strengthen the company's financial resilience in the long term.
