On September 12, in Astana, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantyrov met with Konstantin Fedorchuk, Senior Director for Supply Chain Development in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Belarus at PepsiCo, and Margulan Ospanov, Director for Government Relations and Public Organizations. The discussions centered on the ongoing potato chip production project by the American multinational in Kazakhstan.
Kuantyrov highlighted that PepsiCo’s investment reflects Kazakhstan’s appeal as a business hub and will help foster economic growth by creating jobs and supporting the agro-industrial sector through the use of local raw materials. He stressed the project’s significance in strengthening ties between Kazakhstan and the U.S.
Fedorchuk expressed gratitude for the Kazakh government’s support, noting that this venture marks the beginning of larger investments by PepsiCo in the region. Ospanov added that the company aims to collaborate with local suppliers and expand production to serve not only Kazakhstan but also Central Asia.
The new plant, located in the Almaty region, will produce Lay’s potato chips. PepsiCo plans to invest $160 million in the project, which will create around 350 jobs. Initial production is expected to be between 14,000 to 16,000 tons annually, with future growth reaching 21,000 tons. The plant will use Kazakh potatoes and is slated to complete its first phase by 2026.
