NAGISZ Group switches to broiler chickens: a new era begins in domestic poultry farming

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 04. 11. 11:40

Due to bird flu and changed market demands, NAGISZ’s poultry sector is completely transformed – following the 40 billion forint investment, nearly 20 million slaughter chickens will be produced annually – writes Agrárszektor.

The poultry sector of the NAGISZ Group is making a radical change of direction: turkey farming will be gradually phased out and full capacity will be switched to broiler chicken production. The domestic agricultural company operating in the vicinity of Hortobágy intends to produce 18–20 million slaughter chickens per year in the next three years, thus becoming a dominant player in the domestic broiler market. CEO Herman Kovács and sector manager László Czinege spoke about the background to the decision and the details of the developments.

Epidemic and economic reality: why are they saying goodbye to the turkey?

In recent years, the NAGISZ turkey farm network has been hit by bird flu several times, which particularly affects parent pairs with long breeding cycles. “Turkeys are on the farm for 56 weeks, during which time they are almost certain to encounter the virus,” said Herman Kovács. The short-lived, 42-day-old broiler chicken is not only less susceptible to infections, but can also be evacuated from the barns more quickly, which also makes epidemic protection more effective.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic restructuring have further worsened the situation of turkey meat, while demand for chicken meat has grown steadily. “The turkey market has declined across Europe, and consumers have switched to cheaper and faster-to-prepare chicken meat,” added László Czinege.

40 billion investment: new farms, new technology, new approach

As part of the development program, the group of companies will establish three new broiler farms, each with an annual capacity of 2 million birds, and eight new hen farms will be built in the counties of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Heves, Nógrád and Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok. This will not only expand production, but also relocate the more sensitive parent pair flocks to regions less threatened by avian influenza.

The technological level of the existing farms is also being continuously improved. Climate control, automatic feeding and watering systems, and feed made based on its own recipe ensure the health of the flock and economical production. NAGISZ holds the entire vertical of broiler farming in its own hands, from the hatchery to the slaughterhouse – emphasized the CEO.