From Aluksne with love and great quality

A clean natural environment is paramount when making high-quality products. The Aluksne Poultry Farm is situated in Putni, Ziemera Parish, Aluksne Municipality in Latvia. In food production, location is everything. And we're lucky to have it all – the serene wilderness of Northern Latvia, clean air, land, and water. The conditions are ideal for producing quality products characteristic of Latvia.

Our history dates back to 1961, and we have gained vast experience since starting out. Does being the second-largest national producer of hen eggs help? Yes, it just makes us that much more competitive. We upgraded the Aluksne Poultry Farm to satisfy the high demand and quality requirements for eggs. In 2017, we modernized our farm, introducing brand-new production lines developed by leading manufacturers from Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy. Our current production consists of three state-of-the-art poultry houses.

Our approach

We see quality and safety as the foundation of our long-term reputation. Our approach is based on accurate food safety management, labor protection culture and continuous improvement of processes. We believe that food safety and human safety are not just a requirement of compliance – it is our responsibility to society, customers and employees.

Product quality and food safety

The APF's quality standards are based on a simple but firm belief: only healthy and safe food is truly valuable food. We are committed to maintaining a food safety system that meets not only regulatory requirements, but also the growing expectations of society and customers.

Each APF product is manufactured according to clearly defined quality standards that ensure traceability, process control and continuous improvement at all stages of production.

The basis of the quality management system

Our production is organized according to the FSSC 22000 V6 standard, which is part of the Global Food Security Initiative (GFSI).

• The system is integrated with LEAN management method tools (5S, Kaizen), which helps to identify and eliminate quality risks in daily processes.
• Control mechanisms include the implementation of HACCP principles, a regular cycle of internal and external inspections, as well as traceability tests simulating a realistic recall scenario.
• The food safety management system is audited and improved annually based on updated EU regulations and customer feedback.

Quality culture

We believe that food safety does not start at the checkpoint, but in people's heads. Therefore, the APF actively maintains a culture of food safety at all levels of the organization. In practice, this means: fewer discrepancies, shorter response times, higher accuracy. Our goal is not just to know and comply with the standard - we want every employee to feel personally responsible for the safety of APF products.

Inspections and testing

Independent laboratory testing is an integral part of our quality control. We cooperate with accredited laboratories in performing multi-stage tests for both raw materials and finished products.

Our testing range includes the presence of salmonella, antibiotics, pesticides, dioxins and heavy metals, feed composition and mycotoxin analysis, water quality and surface hygiene tests in production areas, bird health checks (including pulrosis, salmonella spp.).

Our duty is to provide a safe working environment for everyone

Occupational safety in the APF is one of our core values, especially considering the company's field of activity: agriculture, food processing and logistics. Our conviction is directed towards the fact that every employee has the right to a predictable, safe and healthy working environment, and it is the company's duty to provide this environment - systematically, professionally and with long-term responsibility.

Systemic approach to occupational safety

APF implements the Labour Protection Management System in accordance with the laws and regulations of Latvia and it is adapted to the specifics of our activities. The system includes all the essential components:

• Assessment of working environment risks and preventive measures are carried out in all structural units in order to identify possible hazards in a timely manner.
• The division of responsibilities is clearly defined – a specialist is appointed at each facility to monitor safety and provide support to employees.
• Up-to-date documentation is maintained: instructions, assessments, training registers and incident records are documented in accordance with regulatory requirements and the requirements of current legislation, which are determined by:
  • Labour Protection Law,
  • Law on Technical Supervision of Hazardous Equipment,
  • Chemicals Act,
  • Fire Safety and Fire Fighting Law,
  • Labor Law,
  • Epidemiological Safety Law,
  • Energy Law,
  • Road Traffic Law,
  • Law on Administrative Responsibility
  • Other applicable laws and regulations.

Training and engagement of employees

We ensure that all employees are informed, trained and competent in their work environment:

• introductory training, repeated and specialized briefings are carried out;
  every employee is provided with high-quality personal protective equipment, and regular inspection, maintenance and replacement of work equipment is carried out, if necessary;
• since 2024, an e-training platform has been in operation, which allows employees to access the necessary information materials at any time and test their understanding of labour protection issues;
• There is also an emphasis on understanding and culture – safety issues are part of everyday work, not a one-time formal requirement.

The Lean approach introduced helps us to create an environment where every employee can actively participate in the improvement of the working environment, make proposals to improve efficiency and take the initiative.  We believe that a safe and productive environment starts with people - with their knowledge, responsibility and commitment. Therefore, Lean thinking is not just a method for us, but a core value that strengthens the APF's ability to develop and improve results in the long term.

Employee health monitoring 

All employees of the APF undergo mandatory health checks. Inspections are carried out taking into account the degree of risk of the particular position and the specifics of the working environment (for example, work with animals, heavy physical work, work at height, etc.).

Incident accounting and analysis

All accidents and dangerous incidents are officially recorded and analyzed. The results of the analysis carried out are used to carry out corrective and preventive measures, prevent recurrence and strengthen the safety culture.

Emergency preparedness

Emergency action plans have been developed and maintained at all plants and facilities of the APF, which include:

• evacuation schemes,
• fire safety instructions,
• algorithms for emergency actions (e.g. in the event of a power supply, ventilation or equipment malfunction).

These plans are regularly reviewed, tested in practice and updated in the light of changes in facilities, equipment or work organization. All staff are systematically instructed on their actions in emergency situations to ensure rapid, coordinated and safe evacuation or action in times of crisis.

Evaluation and control
The work safety monitoring system includes regular evaluations aimed at verifying the performance of procedures, compliance with regulatory requirements and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Our goal is  to create an environment where safety is not just a process, but a daily experience where everyone feels responsible, competent and protected.