As at 31 March 2017, the total flock increased by 14 per cent year-on-year to 7.7 million hens. The laying hens flock reached 6.7 million hens, up by 18 per cent year-on-year.

Over the reporting period, egg production increased 28 per cent year-on-year to 404 million eggs. Sales volume of shell eggs increased by 37 per cent to 276 million eggs, while the volume of shell eggs exported also went up by 18 per cent to 82 million eggs and resulted in the export share of 30 per cent. Average selling price of shell eggs decreased by 8 per cent and amounted to 1.400 UAH/egg.

During the first quarter of 2017, the volume of shell eggs processed increased by 5 per cent year-on-year to 99 million eggs. Sales volume of dry egg products increased by 36 per cent to 553 tons, out of which the export volume went up by 83 per cent to 336 tons and resulted in the export share of 61 per cent.

Sales volume of liquid egg products declined by 7 per cent to 2,090 tons, out of which the export volume went down by 16 per cent to 537 tons and resulted in the export share of 26 per cent. Average selling price of dry egg products decreased by 11 per cent year-on-year to 117.63 UAH/kg; average selling price of liquid egg products increased by 4 per cent to 32.18 UAH/kg.

Ovostar Union CEO Borys Bielikov commented: "Following the strategy of export markets development, the management is pleased to note that the Company has managed to increase the export volumes of shell eggs by 18 per cent despite the restrictions on import imposed by a number of countries due to the avian influenza cases detected in south-west of Ukraine in December 2016-January 2017. We continue expanding the geography of our sales."