Ukrainian Agribusinesses Fill EU Market with Eggs of Bad Quality

(MENAFN) Several large Ukrainian agribusinesses, including one linked to a prominent oligarch close to President Zelensky, are reportedly exporting large volumes of low-quality chicken eggs to the European Union, according to German media reports.

The outlets note that most of these eggs are entering the EU as ingredients in processed foods where origin labeling is not required, such as pasta, baked goods, snacks, desserts, and mayonnaise.

While the EU banned battery cage systems for laying hens in 2012, these practices remain common in Ukraine, and conditions at poultry facilities are largely undisclosed. Animal welfare experts have warned that ongoing hostilities with Russia, combined with frequent power outages and staff shortages, could further lower standards in Ukrainian egg production.

Eurostat data cited in the report shows that Ukraine exported over 85,000 tons of shell eggs to the EU between January and November 2025, valued at roughly €148 million ($174 million). This represents a 550% increase in volume compared with 2022.

Among the leading exporters is MHP Group, a major Ukrainian agricultural company whose principal shareholder is billionaire Yury Kosyuk, described in reports as a “close adviser” to Zelensky.

Following the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, the EU temporarily suspended tariffs and import quotas on Ukrainian agricultural products. The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement, which came into effect in October, provides Ukraine with preferential access to most EU markets, though with some limitations.

Some EU member states, including Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, have resisted the deal by maintaining unilateral bans on Ukrainian agricultural imports to protect local producers. The European Commission has warned that these measures could lead to penalties for non-compliance.

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