LONDON—The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Co. (SALIC) recently acquired a minority stake in MHP SE, a Ukrainian poultry producer.

According to a notice published on MHP’s website, SALIC acquired more than 13.5 million shares, a 12.6% stake in the company. SALIC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).

MHP, founded in 1998, produces poultry products and owns and operates businesses in feed grains, fodder production and egg hatching. The company works in processing, marketing, distribution and sales.

The poultry company also has its Perutina Ptuj (PP) subsidiary, which has meat processing sites in four Balkan countries, including Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. PP owns distribution companies in Austria, Macedonia, and Romania and supplies products to 15 European countries.

MHP trades on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MHPC.

Saudi Arabia has made several similar moves in recent years in the meat sector.

Brazilian meat company Minerva Foods and SALIC came to an agreement for the fund to acquire Australian Lamb Company (ALC) in October 2022.  

During February 2023, MHP SE announced that it would start working with Saudi Arabian company Tanmiah Food Co. on a joint venture between Tanmiah’s wholly owned subsidiary, Desert Hills of Veterinary Services Co. Ltd.

SALIC also recently made a deal in May 2024 with meat producer BRF S.A. for 11.03% of BRF’s shares in the company. 

The agreement allows SALIC to purchase 200,000 tonnes of product per year from BRF if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia experiences a food emergency. The two sides also announced a joint venture in August 2023.