Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov met with David Manzini, President of PepsiCo for Russia, Belarus, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, to discuss the expansion of a major investment project in the Almaty region. The initiative involves building the largest salty snacks plant in Central Asia.
Initially, PepsiCo planned to invest $160 million following negotiations in June 2024. However, the company has now committed to more than doubling that amount, significantly expanding the project’s scale. The facility’s potato processing capacity will triple—from 70,000 to 210,000 tons per year—supporting the annual production of approximately 70,000 tons of finished snack products. The project is expected to generate around 900 jobs.
The plant’s first phase is scheduled for launch in March 2026, with full production capacity targeted by September 2027.
The investment places strong emphasis on local sourcing. Currently, around 15 farms across the Pavlodar, Akmola, Karaganda, Almaty, and Zhetisu regions are integrated into the supply chain. By 2035, PepsiCo aims to fully localize the cultivation of potato varieties used for chip production in Kazakhstan. The company also plans to enhance its raw material storage capacity and implement scientific methods to improve crop yield and quality.
“We will fully support projects focused on producing high value-added finished products. All necessary government decisions will be made within two weeks,” Prime Minister Bektenov stated.
David Manzini cited 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 prepare an Investment Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and PepsiCo within two weeks. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Agriculture will revise subsidy regulations to allow reimbursement of specific investment expenses in the agro-industrial sector, creating a supportive environment for the investor.