East Grain Group and Poultry Investment SA have acquired the 45% stake previously held by UBM Group in UBM Feed Romania, thereby consolidating their position and becoming equal major shareholders.

This move marks a pivotal moment for one of Romania’s largest feed producers, which will now operate under the new Protena brand. The company forecasts a revenue of 332 million RON and a gross profit of 18 million RON for 2025, positioning it among the market leaders and supporting its investment plans for the years ahead.

The newly established shareholder structure – 50% East Grain, 50% Hodler Capital – creates one of the most robust production platforms in the feed industry, bolstered by European capital, technological expertise, and vertical integration within the livestock sector. The company will retain its current operational and management teams. The transaction was finalized with the support of Raiffeisen Bank S.A., which provided financing on favorable terms.

“This change in ownership represents a natural progression in the company’s development within the Romanian market. We remain committed to our partners, further solidifying our position as a trusted ally in enhancing their operational performance and efficiency. We look forward to exploring new opportunities for expanding production capacity in Romania, so we can actively contribute, through feed production, to the livestock sector nationwide,” said Cristian Tudose, Deputy CEO of Protena.

East Grain is controlled by Agrofert, the largest agribusiness group in Central Europe, with annual revenues exceeding 8.6 billion euros. With over two decades of experience in developing and implementing innovative animal nutrition technologies, Agrofert will leverage its strong tradition in feed production at the Sânpaul – Mureș plant, drawing on its expertise, resources, and established practices that have driven its success in international markets.

Poultry Investment SA, owned by Hodler Capital, along with the Oprea family and the operator behind the integrated chain of the Puiul de Crăiești brand, is strengthening its development strategy by taking direct control over the critical resource in the poultry chain: feed production. This allows the group to secure its supply chain, standardize nutrition across its growth system, and boost operational efficiency.