About Kekava Food, Latvia
JSC “Putnu fabrika Ķekava” (now under the new name “Ķekava Foods”) was founded in 1967 and is the leading poultry producer in Latvia and one of leading producers in Baltics. Their production is fully integrated: from an egg to a packaged product, which means that every step of the production is controlled and supervised. They focus on high animal welfare standards, bio-security, social responsibility, which give us the possibility to build up long-term partnerships worldwide. Ķekava is first in Baltics, which are allowed to label products with quality label “Raised without antibiotics”. Their products are known under brands: – Ķekava – Bauska – Top Choice poultry Ķekava and Bauska brands are very well recognized, trusted and used for Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian markets. For customers outside Baltics, they use the Top Choice poultry brand. There are more than 200 products in assortment.
They have also achieved the standards of quality that are recognized and respected throughout the world – we follow the internationally recognized BRC food standard and ISO 22000:2006 standards.
Number of employees – ~ 1000
They have also achieved the standards of quality that are recognized and respected throughout the world – we follow the internationally recognized BRC food standard and ISO 22000:2006 standards.
Number of employees – ~ 1000
Integration of refugees and cooperation with local institutions
JSC Ķekava food is working with the Kekava municipality and the State Employment Agency about integrating refugees and offering vacancies. They also have received individual calls from the refugees of Ukraine.
They have employed 26 Ukrainian refugees since 2022.
A lot of Ukrainian refugees have no previous work experience in the mentioned positions, because people have come from other fields (education, business, engineering, finance)
Positions they offer:
• Meat processing equipment operator
• Poultry farmer
• Food production operator
• Helper
• Incubator operator
• Order picker
The time of the integration process is about 1 month on average. They try to integrate as much Ukrainian refugees as possible. Before the employment contract is concluded, all the necessary documents had already been received (information about the personal identification number, opened account number, etc.). It took an average of 1 to 1.5 months to receive documentation, but it should be noted that this was at the very beginning. The situation have improved now.
They have employed 26 Ukrainian refugees since 2022.
A lot of Ukrainian refugees have no previous work experience in the mentioned positions, because people have come from other fields (education, business, engineering, finance)
Positions they offer:
• Meat processing equipment operator
• Poultry farmer
• Food production operator
• Helper
• Incubator operator
• Order picker
The time of the integration process is about 1 month on average. They try to integrate as much Ukrainian refugees as possible. Before the employment contract is concluded, all the necessary documents had already been received (information about the personal identification number, opened account number, etc.). It took an average of 1 to 1.5 months to receive documentation, but it should be noted that this was at the very beginning. The situation have improved now.
special challenges and insights during the integration
Providing a place of residence is the most important thing for Ukrainian refugees. Mostly there was a need to tell and help with information, where, how to get there and what kind of additional help to get. If necessary, they also offered accommodation in the company’s service hotel.
There were no communication problems and language barriers with Ukrainian refugees.