New production capacity in Volyn
Nestle has invested 230 million hryvnias this year in expanding the production capacity of its pasta factory in Smolyhiv, Volyn region. By the end of 2026, the company plans to invest another 600 million hryvnias in the site, according to Roman Yanovych, CEO of Nestle in Ukraine and Moldova.
The next stage of development includes the installation of a second and third production line. The expansion should create 250 new jobs, while the factory already employs about 380 people. For the region, this turns the facility into a larger food-industry employer and strengthens Ukraine's manufacturing base during wartime.
Export potential and the Mivina brand
By the end of 2027, Nestle expects total investment in the enterprise to reach about 70 million euros. The factory in Smolyhiv already exports to 19 countries, and the company is considering entry into the US market with Mivina instant noodles.
Yanovych said there is demand for more production and that the product can meet not only European but also American market expectations. This is important for Ukraine because processed food exports carry more added value than raw commodity sales and help keep jobs inside the country.
Why the investment matters
In the first half of 2026, Nestle invested 5 billion hryvnias in Ukraine across production, marketing, consumer communication and new product categories. The Volyn expansion shows that large international companies still see practical production logic in Ukraine despite logistics, security and energy risks.
For investors, the case is a useful signal: when a factory has an export base, a recognizable product category and room for automation, Ukraine can remain competitive in food processing. The main challenge is to keep infrastructure, labor and energy conditions stable enough for producers to scale.
