Kekava Foods

What Kekava Foods does

AS 'Ķekava Foods' is the largest poultry producer in Latvia, formed in 2024 through the consolidation of AS 'Putnu fabrika Ķekava' with three other Latvian poultry entities (SIA 'Lielzeltiņi', SIA 'Cerova', SIA 'Broileks'). The company is a subsidiary of AB Akola Group, the largest agricultural and food production group in the Baltic States, which has been the majority shareholder since 2013 and combines approximately 60 enterprises with annual turnover exceeding 2 billion EUR. Ķekava Foods operates a fully vertically integrated production system spanning own grain procurement (via SIA 'PFK TRADER'), a compound feed mill in Bauska, breeding flocks and incubators, 100+ broiler houses across Ķekava and Bauska regions, 30 breeding bird facilities, a slaughterhouse, fresh meat processing, and finished product manufacturing across facilities in Ķekava, Bauska, and Riga. Annual output is approximately 40,000 tons of poultry meat from roughly 23 million chickens.

The product portfolio spans fresh chicken cuts, marinated and grill products, sausages, smoked and fried items, pâtés, convenience foods, and ready-to-use broths and sauces under the Ķekava (domestic core), Bauska (premium domestic), Top Choice Poultry and Grannfagel (Scandinavian export) brands. The company holds a 'Raised Without Antibiotics' certification since 2017 — a regional first — supported by ISO 50001 energy management and an EcoVadis Bronze Medal awarded in March 2026 (74th percentile, 67/100 points). Revenue is generated primarily through direct B2B sales to major Baltic retail chains (Maxima, Rimi, Lidl, and regional chains), private-label contract manufacturing (notably Maxima's 'Well Done' line), export sales across Scandinavia (Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark) and Western Europe (Netherlands, UK), and a small footprint of 8 own-branded retail stores. Approximately 44% of production is exported outside the Baltic states, and current slaughterhouse utilization at 75-80% indicates latent volume capacity constrained primarily by domestic poultry growing supply, which the company is addressing through a contract-farming recruitment program for Latvian independent farmers.

Name

Kekava Foods

Legal name

AS "Ķekava Foods"

Website

https://vistas.lv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Ķekava Foods is Latvia's largest vertically integrated poultry producer (40,000 tons/year, 23M chickens), owned by AB Akola Group. It supplies fresh and processed chicken products to Baltic retail chains and exports to Scandinavia and Western Europe under antibiotic-free certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Poultry Meat Production

NAICS

Poultry Processing (311615), Animal Food Manufacturing (31111), Food Manufacturing (311), Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing (311991)

SIC

Poultry Slaughtering And Processing (2015), Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Broiler Processing (Whole Bird, Parts, Further Processing) (AFANACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Poultry Cured/Smoked & Deli Products (Turkey Ham, Deli Slices, Bacon-Style) (AFANACAD), Canned Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing (AFAKACAD), Broiler (Meat Chicken) Feed (AFADACAA)

Keywords

• Poultry meat production
• Fresh chicken products
• Processed poultry manufacturing
• Antibiotic-free poultry
• Private label manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Kekava

HQ country

Latvia

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Fresh Poultry Meat Products: Primary revenue stream from fresh chicken meat including whole birds, breasts, thighs, wings, and other cuts. Sold under Ķekava and Bauska brands to retail chains and through own branded stores.
2. Processed Poultry Products: Marinated meats, sausages, smoked products, fried products, pastries, pates, and convenience foods. Includes seasonal grill products, slow-cooked items, and ready-to-eat prepared meals.
3. Private Label Manufacturing: Manufactures products for retailer private labels. Notably produces 'Well Done' antibiotic-free line for Maxima. Provides higher-margin branded manufacturing for retail chains.
4. Feed and Grain Trading: Operates compound feed mill purchasing 1st and 2nd class feed wheat and food-grade wheat from Latvian farmers. Grain trading subsidiary SIA PFK TRADER handles purchasing operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Ķekava Foods is a vertically integrated poultry producer operating the full lifecycle from compound feed milling and grain procurement through breeding, hatching, broiler raising, slaughtering, and processing of fresh and processed chicken products. The company markets fresh meat, marinated meats, sausages, smoked, fried and slowly cooked products, broths, and sauces under the Ķekava, Bauska, Top Choice Poultry, and Grannfagel brands, including contract private-label manufacturing for retailers such as Maxima.

Product overview

Ķekava Foods operates as a vertically integrated poultry meat production company, offering a comprehensive portfolio of chicken and meat products across multiple brands. The core Ķekava brand provides fresh chicken meat and marinated products (breast fillets, thighs, half-wings, shashlik) with the 'Raised Without Antibiotics' quality mark. Premium offerings under the Bauska brand target quality-conscious consumers with marinated products, grilled sausages, breaded nuggets, and specialty rolls. For export markets, the company uses Top Choice Poultry and Grannfagel brands targeting Scandinavian retail chains. The product portfolio spans fresh meat, marinated products, sausages, smoked meats, grilled products, fried products, pâtés, liver/thigh rolls, and new ready-to-use product lines including slowly cooked items (BBQ-marinated chicken) and 'Easy to Cook' sauces and broths. The company produces approximately 40,000 tons of meat annually from about 23 million chickens, with facilities in Ķekava, Bauska, and Riga.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ķekava: Primary brand for poultry products in Latvia, known for ~60 years of tradition. Products include fresh chicken, marinades, sausages, smoked meats, and more.
• Bauska
• Top Choice Poultry
• Grannfagel
• Ķekava 55
• VISTU vai neko!

Products and services

• Ķekava Brand Fresh and Marinated Chicken Primary company brand covering fresh chicken meat and marinated chicken products including breast fillets, thighs, half-wings, and shashlik, sold through major Baltic retailers, own branded stores, and export channels with the 'Raised Without Antibiotics' quality mark.
• Bauska Premium Poultry Products Premium sub-brand from the Bauska region offering marinated chicken products, grill sausages, breaded nuggets, and shashlik targeting quality-conscious consumers.
• Top Choice Poultry (Export Brand) Export brand offering high-quality poultry products to retail chains in Sweden and other Nordic countries, competing with local major producers in the fresh segment.
• Grannfagel (Everyday Export Brand) Everyday poultry products brand targeting value-conscious consumers in Scandinavian retail channels, positioned as an excellent choice for daily meal preparation.
• Ķekava 55 Product Line Product line under the Ķekava brand referenced on the company website as a specific premium or sub-range.
• Private Label Poultry Manufacturing (Well Done for Maxima) B2B contract manufacturing of retailer-branded poultry products, exemplified by the antibiotic-free Well Done line produced for Maxima.
• Chicken Pâtes (Ķekava) Chicken liver pâtés in Classic and Premium varieties made from 100% Latvian-raised chickens without flavor enhancer E621, designed for breakfast sandwiches or snack appetizers.
• Roasted Chicken Liver and Thigh Rolls Handmade, mold-roasted chicken meat rolls including liver rolls and classic/garlic thigh rolls, with newer varieties featuring plums/cranberries and pickled cucumber flavors.
• Chicken Aspik Sausage (Cāļa desa ASPIKA) Special boiled delicacy sausage featuring roasted chicken breast pieces, rich garlic and pepper flavor, offering a traditional home-cooked cold-cut experience rich in protein and collagen.
• Minced Chicken Breast Meat (Cāļa filejas maltā gaļa) Minced chicken breast meat made from high-quality antibiotic-free chicken, providing 86% protein by energy value, designed for light, balanced, and versatile meals.
• Slowly Cooked Chicken Breast Fillet BBQ Marinade Premium product using slow-cooking technology to deliver tender, juicy meat saturated with BBQ marinade flavors; vacuum-packed and cooked for several hours, requiring only 20-25 minutes of oven reheating.
• Viegli Gardi Gatavot Broths (Chicken, Vegetable, Beef) Ready-to-use broths in Chicken, Vegetable, and Beef varieties (350ml each), lactose-free and gluten-free, without preservatives, artificial flavors or flavor enhancers, for direct use in meal preparation.
• Viegli Gardi Gatavot Sauces (Creamy Cheese, Red Wine, Creamy Lemon) Ready-to-use sauces in Creamy Cheese, Red Wine, and Creamy Lemon varieties (230ml each), prepared using slow-cooking methods for authentic restaurant-quality flavors.
• Chicken Thighs without Bone and Skin Boneless, skinless chicken thighs suitable for various cooking methods including roasting, grilling, and sautéing.
• Chicken Breast Fillet Premium chicken breast fillet, the leanest chicken cut and a high-quality protein source suitable for healthy and dietary nutrition; can be quickly pan-fried, grilled, or steamed.

Quantifiable outcome

• Latvia 60% self-sufficient in poultry - significant import replacement opportunity for domestic production
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NorstatminorOthersMarket research partner conducting consumer surveys. Ķekava Foods collaborated with Norstat for annual holiday food preferences survey of 1,002 Latvian residents aged 18-74.
• Latvian FarmerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproximately 0 local independent broiler farmers in Latvia (vs. 20-25% in Lithuania). Ķekava Foods actively recruiting Latvian farmers to raise broiler chickens under contract, providing chicks, quality feed from Bauska mill, veterinary support, and training. Enables expansion of domestic poultry production without capital investment from farmers.
• Maxima (Well Done Private Label)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor retail partner for private label production. Ķekava Foods manufactures antibiotic-free Well Done private label products for Maxima, demonstrating capability for premium quality contract manufacturing.
• European Poultry AssociationminorOthersĶekava Foods participates in annual European Poultry Association conferences (2025 held in Copenhagen). Industry body representing European poultry producers.
• Norstat (Consumer Research Partnership)minorOthersAnnual consumer survey partnership for market research on holiday food preferences. Survey conducted December 2025 with 1,002 Latvian respondents.
• EcoVadisminorOthersSustainability rating platform providing independent ESG assessment. Ķekava Foods received first rating (bronze medal, 67 points) in March 2026. Required by some customers for supplier qualification.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Pilgrim's Pride: One of the largest global poultry producers, owned by JBS, with operations in the US, UK (via Moy Park) and continental Europe. Comparable as a broad incumbent in poultry processing and branded retail supply across multiple European markets.
• Tyson Foods: Largest US-based poultry and protein producer, with growing European presence via Jimmy's Farm and other brands. Relevant as a broad incumbent comparable in vertically integrated poultry operations, scale economics and antibiotic-free product positioning.
• Danish Crown: Denmark-headquartered global meat producer with poultry operations through subsidiaries (formerly Danpo). Comparable as a broader incumbent European protein player with retail and food-service channels in the same geographies Ķekava targets for export.
• Cargill (Animal Nutrition & Protein): Global agribusiness major with animal nutrition and protein operations across Europe. Comparable as a broad incumbent adjacent to Ķekava's feed milling, poultry production and grain trading activities; relevant for benchmarking feed-input economics and commodity risk exposure.

Direct peers

• HKScan: Largest Nordic-Baltic meat and poultry producer headquartered in Finland, operating across Sweden, Denmark and the Baltics. Directly comparable to Ķekava Foods in regional footprint, vertically integrated poultry production and exposure to both domestic retail and cross-Baltic/Scandinavian trade flows.
• Plukon Food Group: One of Europe's largest poultry processors, headquartered in the Netherlands with operations across multiple EU countries. Directly comparable as a vertically integrated poultry producer serving major European retail chains with branded and private-label products.
• Atria: Finnish-based meat and food company with poultry operations in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Baltics. Closely comparable to Ķekava in terms of poultry processing scale, Nordic/Baltic market positioning and B2B retail supply relationships.
• Wiesenhof: Germany's leading poultry brand, owned by PHW Group, producing fresh and processed chicken for German and European retail. Comparable to Ķekava in vertically integrated poultry production, branded retail supply and processed/value-added product portfolio.

Regional players

• Kauno Grūdai: Major Lithuanian poultry and grain processor serving the Lithuanian market and neighboring Baltics. Comparable as a regional poultry peer with integrated grain-to-poultry operations; Lithuania's 20-25% independent farmer base represents the structural model Ķekava is trying to replicate in Latvia.
• Uginčius (KG Group): Lithuanian poultry producer part of the KG Group, supplying fresh and processed chicken across the Baltics. Comparable as a regional competitor in Baltic poultry retail channels and a reference point for cross-border pricing dynamics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kekavalv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/putnu-fabrika-kekava-as
• Instagraminstagram.com/kekavalv
• TikToktiktok.com/@kekava_foods

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kekava Foods