Latvian food production group AS Agrova Baltics (part of Agrova International) has decided to transition to 100% cage-free egg production at its Alūksne poultry farm. The company plans to complete this transition by the end of 2028, becoming the first egg producer in the Baltic states to implement the shift in full. The decision has been driven by rapidly growing demand for cage-free eggs in export markets and among retail chains.
Jurijs Adamovičs, Founder and Chairman of the Management Board of AS Agrova Baltics, commented:
“We are building an export-oriented, European-scale egg protein business, where our key clients already include international retail chains with a strong presence across Europe. These market players are rapidly shifting towards cage-free eggs, making this category the new industry standard.”
Agrova Baltics is already the leading producer in the Baltic region by the share of cage-free eggs, which currently accounts for approximately 80% of total production.
Egg production in Alūksne is carried out across five poultry houses, four of which already operate under aviary systems for laying hens. The remaining facility is scheduled for reconstruction by the end of 2028, completing the company’s full transition from enriched cage or colony systems to modern cage-free production technologies.
Adamovičs added:
“We clearly recognise that this transition will be challenging in the Latvian domestic market, where consumer purchasing power remains a key factor. In the short term, this may result in a certain decline in market share. Therefore, we will implement a gradual transition while maintaining more affordable product options for the local market over the next two years. At the same time, the entire European industry is moving in this direction, and as a responsible producer, we see it as our duty to adapt to these structural changes and continue strengthening our position in the European market.”
EUR 30 Million Investment Programme and Regional Job Creation
Alongside the modernisation of its existing infrastructure, Agrova Baltics is launching a EUR 30 million investment programme in Alūksne, aimed at further expanding and upgrading its production platform.
The programme includes the construction of three new poultry houses, as well as a substantial upgrade of the egg sorting and packing facility, expansion of the feed mill, and the development of organic fertiliser production. In addition, the investment will support a range of complementary infrastructure improvements designed to create a fully integrated, state-of-the-art production complex.
The project is aligned with Agrova’s zero-waste strategy, ensuring efficient utilisation of all by-products across the value chain and reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable and responsible production practices.
The investment is supported by the company’s strategic partner, Accession Capital Partners (ACP), providing additional capital to accelerate growth and export expansion.
The new facilities and upgrades will significantly increase production capacity, create new jobs in Alūksne, and contribute to the development of the regional economy in Vidzeme.
The three new poultry houses are scheduled for completion in the first half of 2027. Following completion, the share of cage-free production will increase to approximately 90% of total capacity, further strengthening Agrova Baltics’ leadership position in the region.
The shares of AS Agrova Baltics are admitted to trading on Nasdaq Baltic First North Market.
About AS Agrova Baltics |NASDAQ: EGG| (formerly AS APF Holdings) is a Latvia-based agri-foods holding company managing a vertically integrated group operating across poultry farming, egg production, and egg and egg-protein-based products.
The Group is engaged in poultry farming, egg production and wholesale trading, as well as the processing of eggs into liquid and dry egg products and egg proteins, serving food industry and functional nutrition applications. In addition, Agrova Baltics develops biogas and organic fertilizer production linked to poultry farming processes.
The Group’s portfolio includes SIA Alūksnes putnu ferma (poultry farming and egg production), SIA APF Trading(wholesale trading of eggs and egg products), SIA Oluksne (poultry farming and egg production services), SIA Agrova Energy (biogas and organic fertilizer production), and SIA Preiļu putni (pullet rearing).
Founded in 2017 with the objective of acquiring and developing a poultry business in Alūksne with a long operational history, Agrova Baltics has evolved into a fully integrated agri-foods platform. Today, the Group covers the entire value chain – from pullet rearing and egg production to the processing of eggs into value-added egg products and egg proteins, wholesale distribution, and the sustainable utilization of by-products for energy generation and organic fertilizer production.