PepsiCo, the American multinational company, has announced a significant investment of $160 million towards establishing a new potato chip manufacturing facility in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. This initiative marks the largest project of its kind in Central Asia, with projections to generate substantial economic benefits for the region.
Key Points of the Investment:
- The project is set to create around 1,000 job opportunities during the construction phase and about 350 permanent positions once the facility is operational by 2026.
- The manufacturing site will prioritize the use of local raw materials, contributing to the region’s economic growth and sustainability.
- Discussions regarding the project took place between Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and David Manzini, President for Russia and CIS at PepsiCo, with support from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta.
- Upon completion in 2026, the factory is expected to produce 16,000 tons of products annually, increasing to 21,000 tons from 2027 onwards, catering to the domestic market as well as other Central Asian countries and beyond.
- PepsiCo is actively engaging with local potato farms in Kazakhstan to ensure a sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing process through efficient waste management practices.
- The Kazakhstani government views this investment as a strategic move to diversify the country’s economy, benefiting not only the food industry but also sectors like transport logistics, packaging, and agricultural processing.
- Highlighting the significance of this partnership, Bektenov emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting long-term collaborations with key investors like PepsiCo to drive economic growth.
- Lays, a brand under PepsiCo‘s Frito-Lay division, has a rich history of producing potato chips since 1938 and recently introduced a new flavor inspired by Kazakhstan‘s national dish, beshbarmak, in June 2023.
