PepsiCo, the US-based food manufacturing giant, is set to invest $160 million in a new salty snacks production facility in Kazakhstan. This new plant, which will process popular products like Lay's potato crisps, is expected to be operational by 2026.
Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced the investment in an official statement on June 14. David Manzini, President of PepsiCo’s business in Russia and the CIS, met with Bektenov to discuss the project, which will be located in Almaty, near the Kyrgyzstan border.
Upon completion, the Almaty facility is projected to produce up to 16,000 tonnes of snack products annually, with plans to increase capacity to 17,000 tonnes by 2027. The products manufactured at this site will cater to the Central Asian market and beyond.
The construction and operation of the plant are expected to create significant employment opportunities, with around 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and approximately 350 permanent jobs once the plant is operational.
PepsiCo aims to source primarily local raw materials for its new plant, purchasing between 50,000 and 66,000 tonnes of potatoes from Kazakhstani farmers from 2026 to 2030. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the local food supply chain.
In line with PepsiCo’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the new facility will implement waste management practices that ensure 100% recycling and utilization of waste materials.
Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, "The USA is one of the most important investment partners of Kazakhstan. We are committed to honoring our investment protection obligations and are ready to provide the necessary support."
PepsiCo has a long-standing presence in Kazakhstan, with over $53 billion invested in the past two decades. This new venture aligns with Kazakhstan's National Investment Policy, which aims to attract over $150 billion in foreign direct investment by 2029, as announced by former Prime Minister Alikhan Samilov during the sixth Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable.
This strategic investment by PepsiCo not only strengthens the company’s footprint in Central Asia but also contributes significantly to the region’s economic growth and development.