Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov met with David Manzini, PepsiCo President for Russia, Belarus, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, to discuss the expansion of a major investment project in the Almaty region. The project involves the construction of the largest salty snacks plant in Central Asia.
Following earlier negotiations in June 2024, PepsiCo had planned to invest $160mn in the plant. However, the company has now decided to more than double that investment, increasing the scale of the project. The plant's potato processing capacity will triple — from 70,000 to 210,000 tons annually — enabling the production of about 70,000 tons of finished products per year. Approximately 900 jobs are expected to be created.
PepsiCo plans to launch the first phase of the plant in March 2026, with full production capacity expected by September 2027.
The project emphasizes the use of local raw materials. Around 15 farms across the Pavlodar, Akmola, Karaganda, Almaty, and Zhetisu regions are already participating in the supply chain.
By 2035, PepsiCo aims to fully localize the cultivation of potato varieties used for chip production in Kazakhstan. The company also intends to expand its raw material storage capacity and apply scientific approaches to boost yields and quality.
“We will fully support such projects aimed at producing finished products with high added value. Government agencies will make all necessary decisions within two weeks,” stated Prime Minister Bektenov.
Manzini highlighted Kazakhstan’s strong government support and favorable investment climate as key reasons behind PepsiCo’s decision to significantly increase its investment in the country.
Following the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was instructed to draft an Investment Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and PepsiCo within two weeks. In the same period, the Ministry of Agriculture will amend subsidy regulations to facilitate reimbursement of certain investment expenses in the agro-industrial sector, ensuring favorable conditions for the investor.
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