Agrosvit scientific and industrial company, distributor of seeds and crop protection agents, is buying Kharkiv dairy plant, belonged to PrJSC Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine (part of PepsiСo Ukraine).
According to the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, the committee approved the deal to sell the property complex. The buyer is Kharkiv Dairy Plant LLC. The owner of the limited liability company is Oleh Zverev. His father, Viktor Zverev, is the founder of Agrosvit and President of the Kharkiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The committee said that Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine produces dairy products under contract with Sandora LLC.
Kharkiv Dairy Plant LLC is not engaged in economic activities. It was registered in February 2019, plans to produce drinking milk, butter and dairy products.
PepsiCo Ukraine is selling a dairy plant in Kharkiv region.
“As part of the project to improve the efficiency of the production infrastructure of PJSC Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine [a member of PepsiCo Ukraine, owns the plant], the company has decided to consolidate the dairy production at a single production site in Kyiv region. The sale process of the Kharkiv dairy plant and its transfer to the new owner is now at the final stage,” PepsiCo Ukraine told Interfax-Ukraine.
According to the press service, the company will continue developing the dairy business and the production under the Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine’s trademarks.
“The dairy business remains one of the priorities for PepsiCo Ukraine. Until the final completion of the transaction the details of the sale and purchase, as well as information about the buyer, are not disclosed for objective reasons,” the press service of the company said.
According to the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, on June 13, the authority considered the purchase of Kharkiv Dairy Plant LLC.
According to the public register, Kharkiv Dairy Plant LLC was registered in February 2019. Its owner is Oleh Zverev. He also owns Bilozavodsky Elevator LLC (Kharkiv).
Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods LLC (Moscow, Russian Federation) in May 2019 announced the squeeze-out of shares of the minority shareholders in PJSC Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine.
PepsiCo Ukraine, a large producer of food and beverages, has started a project to localize production of potato chips under the Lay’s trademark, foreseeing the launch of a chips production line at the existing plant in Mykolaiv region by the middle of 2019. According to the press service of PepsiCo Ukraine, the company plans to launch the production line at the existing production complex in Mykolaiv region, where Khrusteam croutons, Sadochok juices, Agusha baby food are now produced, and primary processing of seasonal vegetables and fruits is carried out.
“PepsiCo strives to maximize localization of production and use of raw materials from local suppliers in the countries of its presence. Today we are preparing to install the first line for the production of potato chips, and we are also implementing our own agricultural program,” PepsiCo Ukraine CEO Iryna Kozlova said.
According to the company, the agricultural program provides for farms supplying potatoes with seeds, conducting seminars and trainings, as well as year-round support with an agricultural team. The annual production demand for potatoes of special “chip” varieties is about 40,000 – 60,000 tonnes.
According to the press service, the company also plans to expand the production of Khrusteam croutons by installing a second line.
The company does not disclose the capacity of new lines and the volume of investments.
At the moment, PepsiCo produces chips under the Lay’s trademark in Poland.
PepsiCo Ukraine, one of the largest producers of food and beverages, is considering the localization of production of Lay’s chips. “PepsiCo Ukraine to further meet the demand of consumers is working to improve the efficiency of work. Localization of production is one of the ways. To this end, we are studying and analyzing the Ukrainian agrarian sector, its potential,” the press service of the company told Interfax-Ukraine.
PepsiCo produces chips under the Lay’s brand in Poland. PepsiCo in Ukraine owns five enterprises: a plant for processing fruits, vegetables and juice production (Mykolaiv region), a plant for production of juices, carbonated drinks and cold tea (Mykolaiv region), Kharkiv Dairy Plant (Kharkiv), Kyiv Dairy Plant (Kyiv region), where Agusha baby food factory, launched in 2012, is also located.
